Methods for treating hcv

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to combinations of therapeutic molecules useful for treating hepatitis C virus infection. The present invention relates to methods, uses, dosing regimens, and compositions.

PRIORITY OF INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNos. 61/425,194 filed 20 Dec. 2010 and 61/495,841 filed 10 Jun. 2011.The entire content of these applications are hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to combinations of therapeutic molecules usefulfor treating hepatitis C virus infection. The present invention relatesto methods, uses, dosing regimens, and compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis is a disease occurring throughout the world. Hepatitis isgenerally of viral nature, although, if considered a state of chronicinflammation of the liver, there are other known, non-infectious causes.Viral hepatitis is by far the most common form of hepatitis. The U.S.Centers for Disease Control has estimated that at least 1.8% of the U.S.population has serologic evidence of HCV infection, in the majority ofcases associated with chronic active infection. HCV is apositive-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family and hasclosest relationship to the pestiviruses that include hog cholera virusand bovine viral diarrhea virus.

The HCV genome is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA of about 9,600bp coding for a polyprotein of 3009-3030 amino acids, which is cleavedco- and post-translationally by cellular and two viral proteinases intomature viral proteins (core, E1, E2, p7, NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A,NS5B). The structural proteins, E1 and E2, are believed to be embeddedinto a viral lipid envelope and form stable heterodimers. The structuralcore protein is believed to interact with the viral RNA genome to formthe nucleocapsid. The nonstructural proteins designated NS2 to NS5include proteins with enzymatic functions involved in virus replicationand protein processing including a polymerase, protease, and helicase.HCV replicates through the production of a complementary negative-strandRNA template.

HCV is a genetically diverse virus. Within a single infected patient,many variant viruses can be identified, leading to the description‘viral swarm’, or viral quasispecies. Within the global humanpopulation, HCV is also genetically diverse, with at least 6 major‘genotypes’ identified (Genotypes 1-6), and numerous subtypes (i.e., HCVGenotype 1a and 1b). HCV genotypes are defined by genomic phylogeneticanalysis, and diagnosed (in a given patient) by HCV RNA sequence-baseddiagnostic assays.

The main route of infection with HCV is blood exposure. The magnitude ofthe HCV infection as a health problem is illustrated by the prevalenceamong high-risk groups. For example, in some surveys, 60% to 90% ofhemophiliacs and more than 80% of intravenous drug abusers in westerncountries had chronic HCV infection. For intravenous drug abusers, theprevalence varies from about 28% to 80% depending on the populationstudied. The proportion of new HCV infections associated with blood orblood product transfusion has been markedly reduced due topharmaceutical advances and widespread use of sensitive serologic andRNA detection assays used to screen blood donors, however, a largecohort of aging, chronically infected persons is already established.

One available treatment for HCV infection is pegylated interferon-α(PEG-IFN α1a or PEG-IFN α1b), which is, under current treatmentguidelines, administered weekly by subcutaneous injection for 24 to 48weeks, dependent upon the HCV viral genotype being treated. Althoughgreater than 50% of patients with Genotype 1 HCV infection may beexpected to have suppression of HCV viremia at the completion of 48weeks therapy, a significant proportion of these patients will haveviral relapse. Accordingly, a Sustained Virologic Response (SVR, definedas HCV RNA negativity 24 weeks post treatment cessation, and consideredtantamount to ‘cure’) is only achieved in 30-40% of Genotype 1 HCVinfections treated with PEG-IFN alone. In addition, treatment withPEG-IFN+RBV is not well tolerated, with an adverse event profile thatincludes flu-like symptoms, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and seriouspsychiatric side effects. While treatment with the current standard ofcare is suboptimal, many patients are precluded from ever startingtherapy due to comorbidities common in HCV-infected populations,including psychiatric disorders, advanced liver disease, and substanceabuse.

Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog antiviral drug. Ribavirin is typicallytaken orally (by mouth) twice a day. The exact mechanism for ribavirinis unknown. However, it is believed that when ribavirin enters a cell itis phosphorylated; it then acts as an inhibitor of inosine5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). IMPDH inhibitors such asribavirin reduce the intracellular synthesis and storage of guanine, anucleotide “building block” necessary for DNA and RNA production, thusinhibiting viral replication. IMPDH inhibitors also interfere with thereproduction of rapidly proliferating cells and cells with a high rateof protein turnover. Treatment with ribavirin monotherapy has littleeffect on HCV RNA levels, but is associated with a decline in serumalanine transferase (ALT). This observation suggests that ribavirin maynot be acting as an antiviral agent, but rather as a modulator of immunesystem function. Ribavirin is only approved for use, for HCV infection,in combination with IFN.

Treatment with the combination of PEG-IFN plus ribavirin improves SVRrates over those observed with PEG-IFN alone, in large part due toreduction in the frequency of viral relapse at the cessation of therapy.Large clinical trial SVR rates for PEG-IFN/ribavirin treated patientswith HCV Genotype 1 infection have ranged from 40-55%. At the presenttime, PEG-IFN/ribavirin therapy is considered the ‘standard-of-care’treatment for chronic HCV infection. The standard of care is, however,expected to change rapidly in the near future with approval of directacting antiviral agents which will, initially, be used in combinationwith PEG-IFN/ribavirin.

Unfortunately, different genotypes of HCV respond differently toPEG-IFN/ribavirin therapy; for example, HCV genotype 1 is more resistantto therapy than types 2 and 3. Additionally, many current treatments forHCV produce unwanted side effects. Thus, there is currently a need fornew anti-viral therapies. In particular there is a need for newantiviral therapies that produce fewer unwanted side-effects, that aremore effective against a range of HCV genotypes, or that have lesscomplicated dosing schedules, i.e. that require administration of agentsfewer times during a day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and therapeutic methods thatare useful for treating viral infections (e.g. HCV). Certaincompositions and methods of the invention produce fewer unwantedside-effects, are more effective against a range of HCV genotypes,reduce the potential for viral rebound due to resistance selection andhave shortened less complicated dosing schedules than currentlyavailable therapies.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the invention provides a compositioncomprising two or more compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 andpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method of treating an HCVinfection in a human, comprising administering two or more compoundsselected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof to the human.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method for amelioratingone or more symptoms of an HCV infection in a human, comprisingadministering two or more compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 andpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to the human.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method for reducing viralload in a human with HCV, comprising administering two or more compoundsselected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof to the human.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method for reducingemergence of HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oralantiviral agents in a human, comprising administering two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof to the human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof in medical therapy.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a viral(e.g. HCV) infection.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a composition ofthe invention for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a viral(e.g. HCV) infection.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof to prepare a medicament for treating a viral (e.g. HCV)infection in a human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a composition ofthe invention to prepare a medicament for treating a viral (e.g. HCV)infection in a human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof to prepare a medicament for ameliorating one or moresymptoms of a viral (e.g. HCV) infection in a human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a composition ofthe invention to prepare a medicament for ameliorating one or moresymptoms of a viral (HCV) infection in a human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof to prepare a medicament for reducing viral load in ahuman.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a composition ofthe invention to prepare a medicament for reducing viral load in ahuman.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of two or morecompounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof to prepare a medicament for reducing emergence of HCVquasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents ina human.

In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a composition ofthe invention to prepare a medicament for reducing emergence of HCVquasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents ina human.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingtwo, three, four or five Combination Compounds selected from Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, provided that Compound1 and Compound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds in thecomposition and further provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are notthe only Combination Compounds in the composition.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingCompound 1 and Compound 6.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingCompound 1, Compound 3 and Compound 6.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingCompound 3 and Compound 5.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingCompound 3 and Compound 6.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprisingCompound 3, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the foregoingcompositions further comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptablediluents or carriers.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the foregoingcompositions are formulated as a unit dosage form for once dailyadministration.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the foregoingcompositions are formulated for oral administration.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the foregoingcompositions formulated as a tablet.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating anHCV infection in a human, comprising administering two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to the human, provided that Compound 1 andCompound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds administered andfurther provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the onlyCombination Compounds administered.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for amelioratingone or more symptoms of an HCV infection in a human, comprisingadministering two or more Combination Compounds selected from Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to the human,provided that Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the only CombinationCompounds administered and further provided that Compound 1 and Compound3 are not the only Combination Compounds administered.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for reducingviral load in a human with HCV, comprising administering two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to the human, provided that Compound 1 andCompound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds administered andfurther provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the onlyCombination Compounds administered.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for reducingemergence of HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oralantiviral agents in a human, comprising administering two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to the human, provided that Compound 1 andCompound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds administered andfurther provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the onlyCombination Compounds administered.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the methods fortreating an HCV infection in a human, for ameliorating one or moresymptoms of an HCV infection in a human for reducing viral load in ahuman with HCV, and for reducing emergence of HCV quasispecies withresistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents in a human furthercomprise administering an interferon to the human.

In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating anHCV infection in a human, for ameliorating one or more symptoms of anHCV infection in a human for reducing viral load in a human with HCV,and for reducing emergence of HCV quasispecies wherein an interferon isnot administered to the human.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the methods fortreating an HCV infection in a human, for ameliorating one or moresymptoms of an HCV infection in a human for reducing viral load in ahuman with HCV, and for reducing emergence of HCV quasispecies withresistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents in a human furthercomprise administering ribavirin to the human.

In another embodiment, the invention provides that the methods fortreating an HCV infection in a human, for ameliorating one or moresymptoms of an HCV infection in a human for reducing viral load in ahuman with HCV, and for reducing emergence of HCV quasispecies withresistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents in a human furthercomprise administering one or more additional agents selected fromribavirin, an interferon, alpha-glucosidase 1 inhibitors,hepatoprotectants, TLR-7 agonists, cyclophilin inhibitors, HCV viralentry inhibitors, HCV maturation inhibitors, and HCV IRES inhibitors tothe human.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Combination Compounds Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in medical therapy,provided that Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the only CombinationCompounds selected and further provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3are not the only Combination Compounds selected.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Combination Compounds Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the prophylactic ortherapeutic treatment of an HCV infection, provided that Compound 1 andCompound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds selected and furtherprovided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the only CombinationCompounds selected.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to prepare a medicament for treating an HCVinfection in a human, provided that Compound 1 and Compound 2 are notthe only Combination Compounds selected and further provided thatCompound 1 and Compound 3 are not the only Combination Compoundsselected.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for the use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to prepare a medicament for ameliorating one ormore symptoms of an HCV infection in a human, provided that Compound 1and Compound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds selected andfurther provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the onlyCombination Compounds selected.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for the use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to prepare a medicament for reducing viral loadin a human, provided that Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the onlyCombination Compounds selected and further provided that Compound 1 andCompound 3 are not the only Combination Compounds selected.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for the use of two or moreCombination Compounds selected from Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof to prepare a medicament for reducing emergenceof HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents in a human, provided that Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not theonly Combination Compounds selected and further provided that Compound 1and Compound 3 are not the only Combination Compounds selected.

The compositions and methods of the invention may provide “synergy” and“synergistic effects”, i.e. the effect achieved when the activeingredients (including two or more Combination Compounds) are usedtogether is greater than the sum of the effects that results from usingthe compounds separately.

The compositions and methods of the invention are beneficial becausethey provide treatments for a wide range of HCV genotypes and becausethey cause fewer or less serious side effects than current HCV therapies(e.g. treatments that include the administration of interferon).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless stated otherwise, the following terms and phrases as used hereinare intended to have the following meanings. The fact that a particularterm or phrase is not specifically defined should not be correlated toindefiniteness or lacking clarity, but rather terms herein are usedwithin their ordinary meaning. When trade names are used herein,applicants intend to independently include the trade name product andthe active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) of the trade name product.

As used herein the term “Combination Compounds” refers to Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7

As used herein, Compound 1 is:

Compound 1 may also be referred to as5-((6-(2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyridazin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(2-fluorophenyl)-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridineor 5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine,5-[[6-[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridazin-3-yl]methyl]-2-(2-fluorophenyl).

As used herein, Compound 2 is:

Compound 2 may also be referred to as(2R,6S,13aR,14aS,16aS)-2-(8-chloro-2-(2-(isopropylamino)thiazol-4-yl)-7-methoxyquinolin-4-yloxy)-6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)-5,16-dioxooctadecahydrocyclopropa[e]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazacyclopentadecin-14a-yl(2,6-difluorobenzyl)phosphinicacid.

As used herein, Compound 3 is:

As used herein, Compound 4 is:

As used herein, Compound 5 is:

As used herein, Compound 6 is:

As used herein, Compound 7 is:

As used herein, Compound 8 is:

With regard to ribavirin, reference is made to EP 0 093 401 B1, hereinincorporated by reference with regard to a process for manufacture aswell as to nomenclature concerning ribavirin. As used herein, ribavirinrefers to:

Ribavirin is also referred to as1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-Triazole-3-carboxamide,1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-carboxyamide;1-β-D-Ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide; COPEGUS (Roche);DRG-0028; HSDB 6513; ICN 1229; MegaRibavirin (e.g. in formulations of100 mg of ribavirin/mL); NSC 163039; RAVANEX (BioPartners); REBETOL(Schering-Plough; Aesca; Bayer Schering Pharma; Essex; Pfizer; TradingPharma; Zuellig Pharma); Ribamide; RIBAMIDIL (Biopharma, Russia);RIBASPHERE (Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals); Ribavarin; Ribavirina;Tribavirin; VILONA (Valeant Pharmaceuticals; ICN Pharmaceuticals);VIRAMID (ICN Pharmaceuticals; Alfa Wassermann); VIRAZOLE (ValeantPharmaceuticals); and VIRIZADOLE (Uci-farma, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SaoPaulo, Brazil). In addition, as used herein ribavirin includes analogsof ribavirin, including taribavirin (VIRAMIDINE, ICN 3142).

The term “interferon” includes 1) interferons, e.g., pegylatedrIFN-alpha 2b (PEG-Intron, Merck & Co., Inc.), pegylated rIFN-alpha 2a(PEGASYS, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.), rIFN-alpha 2b (INTRON® A, Merck &Co., Inc.), rIFN-alpha 2a (Roferon®-A, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.),interferon alpha (MULTIFERON® Viranative AB Corporation, OPC-18,Alfaferone, Alfanative, subalin), interferon alfacon-1 (Valeant),interferon alpha-n1 (Wellferon™, Glaxo Wellcome), interferon alpha-n3(ALFERON®-Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.), interferon-beta-1a (AVONEX®Biogen Idec, DL-8234 Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd), interferon-omega(omega DUROS®, Alza Corporation, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.; Biomed510, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.), albinterferon alpha-2b (ALBUFERON®,Human Genome Sciences, INC.), IFN alpha-2b XL, BLX-883 (LOCTERON®,Biolex Therapeutics, INC.), DA-3021, glycosylated interferon alpha-2b(AVI-005), PEG-INFERGEN®, Amgen, Inc., Pegylated interferonlambda-1(type III) (PEGylated IL-29), and BELEROFON®, Nautilus Biotech.

The term “combination therapy” means compositions or methods or uses orthe like that incorporate two or more of the Combination Compounds.Combination therapy may also incorporate other active ingredients inaddition to the two or more of the Combination Compounds including, butnot limited to: ribavirin, an interferon, an alpha-glucosidase 1inhibitor, a hepatoprotectant, a Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist, acyclophilin inhibitor, an HCV viral entry inhibitor, an HCV maturationinhibitor, and an HCV IRES inhibitor.

The term “active ingredient” means a component of a combination therapythat a exerts or is capable of exerting a pharmaceutical effectincluding any of the Combination Compounds, ribavirin, an interferon, analpha-glucosidase 1 inhibitor, a hepatoprotectant, a TLR-7 agonist (suchas Compound 8), a cyclophilin inhibitor, an HCV viral entry inhibitor,an HCV maturation inhibitor, and an HCV IRES inhibitor.

The term “treating” and grammatical equivalents thereof, when used inthe context of treating a disease, means slowing or stopping theprogression of a disease, or ameliorating at least one symptom of adisease, more preferably ameliorating more than one symptom of adisease. For example, an HCV patient may experience an improvement inone or all of the following symptoms that can be associated with HCVinfection: fever, headache, muscle aches, jaundice, fatigue, loss ofappetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment of a hepatitis Cvirus infection can include reducing the HCV viral load in an HCVinfected human being.

Certain of the compounds described herein contain one or more chiralcenters, or may otherwise be capable of existing as multiplestereoisomers. The scope of the present invention includes mixtures ofstereoisomers as well as purified enantiomers orenantiomerically/diastereomerically enriched mixtures. Also includedwithin the scope of the invention are the individual isomers of thecompounds represented by the formulae shown herein, as well as anywholly or partially equilibrated mixtures thereof. The present inventionalso includes the individual isomers of the compounds represented by theformula shown herein as mixtures with isomers thereof in which one ormore chiral centers are inverted. Stereochemical definitions andconventions used herein generally follow S. P. Parker, Ed., McGraw-HillDictionary of Chemical Terms (1984) McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York;and Eliel, E. and Wilen, S., Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds (1994)John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Many organic compounds exist in optically active forms, i.e., they havethe ability to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. In describingan optically active compound, the prefixes D and L or R and S are usedto denote the absolute configuration of the molecule about its chiralcenter(s). The prefixes d and l or (+) and (−) are employed to designatethe sign of rotation of plane-polarized light by the compound, with (−)or l meaning that the compound is levorotatory. A compound prefixed with(+) or d is dextrorotatory.

A specific stereoisomer may also be referred to as an enantiomer, and amixture of such isomers is often called an enantiomeric mixture. A 50:50mixture of enantiomers is referred to as a racemic mixture or aracemate, which may occur where there has been no stereoselection orstereospecificity in a chemical reaction or process. The terms “racemicmixture” and “racemate” refer to an equimolar mixture of twoenantiomeric species, devoid of optical activity.

Combinations

The present invention encompasses combinations of two or more of theCombination Compounds. Table I showing possible two-way (Combinations1-21), three-way (Combinations 22-56), four-way (Combinations 57-92) andfive-way (Combinations 93-113) combinations of Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 of theinvention is provided below:

TABLE I Compound Compound Compound Compound Compound Compound Compound 12 3 4 5 6 7 Combination 1 X X Combination 2 X X Combination 3 X XCombination 4 X X Combination 5 X X Combination 6 X X Combination 7 X XCombination 8 X X Combination 9 X X Combination 10 X X Combination 11 XX Combination 12 X X Combination 13 X X Combination 14 X X Combination15 X X Combination 16 X X Combination 17 X X Combination 18 X XCombination 19 X X Combination 20 X X Combination 21 X X Combination 22X X X Combination 23 X X X Combination 24 X X X Combination 25 X X XCombination 26 X X X Combination 27 X X X Combination 28 X X XCombination 29 X X X Combination 30 X X X Combination 31 X X XCombination 32 X X X Combination 33 X X X Combination 34 X X XCombination 35 X X X Combination 36 X X X Combination 37 X X XCombination 38 X X X Combination 39 X X X Combination 40 X X XCombination 41 X X X Combination 42 X X X Combination 43 X X XCombination 44 X X X Combination 45 X X X Combination 46 X X XCombination 47 X X X Combination 48 X X X Combination 49 X X XCombination 50 X X X Combination 51 X X X Combination 52 X X XCombination 53 X X X Combination 54 X X X Combination 55 X X XCombination 56 X X X Combination 57 X X X X Combination 58 X X X XCombination 59 X X X X Combination 60 X X X X Combination 61 X X X XCombination 62 X X X X Combination 63 X X X X Combination 64 X X X XCombination 65 X X X X Combination 66 X X X X Combination 67 X X X XCombination 68 X X X X Combination 69 X X X X Combination 70 X X X XCombination 71 X X X X Combination 72 X X X X Combination 73 X X X XCombination 74 X X X X Combination 75 X X X X Combination 76 X X X XCombination 77 X X X X Combination 78 X X X X Combination 79 X X X XCombination 80 X X X X Combination 81 X X X X Combination 82 X X X XCombination 83 X X X X Combination 84 X X X X Combination 85 X X X XCombination 86 X X X X Combination 87 X X X X Combination 88 X X X XCombination 89 X X X X Combination 90 X X X X Combination 91 X X X XCombination 92 Combination 93 X X X X X Combination 94 X X X X XCombination 95 X X X X X Combination 96 X X X X X Combination 97 X X X XX Combination 98 X X X X X Combination 99 X X X X X Combination 100 X XX X X Combination 101 X X X X X Combination 102 X X X X X Combination103 X X X X X Combination 104 X X X X X Combination 105 X X X X XCombination 106 X X X X X Combination 107 X X X X X Combination 108 X XX X X Combination 109 X X X X X Combination 110 X X X X X Combination111 X X X X X Combination 112 X X X X X Combination 113 X X X X X

Compositions

One aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 1 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6. In another embodiment, the second compound is not Compound 2or Compound 3.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 2 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 4. In another embodiment, the second compoundis not Compound 1.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 3 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6. Inanother embodiment, the second compound is not Compound 1.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 4 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 2 or Compound 3 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 5 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 6 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 andCompound 7. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the secondcompound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 4 orCompound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 7 andfurther comprising a second compound selected from the group consistingof Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 andCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 1 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 3, or Compound 4, or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 2 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 3 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 5 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 4 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 5 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 6 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 7 andfurther comprising a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 1 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 2 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 3 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 5 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 4 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 5 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 6 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 3. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 7 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 1 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 2 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 3 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 5 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 4 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 5 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may beCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 6 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, andCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The secondcompound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a composition, e.g. apharmaceutical composition, the composition comprising Compound 7 andfurther comprising a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound6.

Salts

The Combination Compounds and other active ingredients can be in theform of a salt. Typically, but not absolutely, the salts of theCombination Compounds and other active ingredients are pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts. Salts encompassed within the term “pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts” refer to non-toxic salts of the Combination Compoundsand/or other active ingredients. Examples of suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts include inorganic acid addition salts such as chloride,bromide, sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate; organic acid addition saltssuch as acetate, galactarate, propionate, succinate, lactate, glycolate,malate, tartrate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, methanesulfonate,p-toluenesulfonate, and ascorbate; salts with acidic amino acid such asaspartate and glutamate; alkali metal salts such as sodium salt andpotassium salt; alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium salt andcalcium salt; ammonium salt; organic basic salts such as trimethylaminesalt, triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt,dicyclohexylamine salt, and N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt; and saltswith basic amino acid such as lysine salt and arginine salt. The saltsmay be in some cases hydrates or ethanol solvates.

Pharmaceutical Formulations

The Combination Compounds and/or other active ingredients can beformulated with conventional carriers or excipients, which can beselected in accord with ordinary practice. Tablets typically containexcipients, glidants, fillers, binders and the like. Aqueousformulations can be prepared in sterile form, and when intended fordelivery by other than oral administration generally will be isotonic.All formulations will optionally contain excipients such as those setforth in the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients (1986), hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. Excipients include ascorbicacid and other antioxidants, chelating agents such as EDTA,carbohydrates such as dextrin, hydroxyalkylcellulose,hydroxyalkylmethylcellulose, stearic acid and the like.

The pH of the formulations ranges from about 3 to about 11, but isordinarily about 7 to 10.

While it is possible for an active ingredient to be administered aloneit may be preferable to present one or more active ingredients aspharmaceutical formulations. The formulations of the invention, both forveterinary and for human use, comprise at least one active ingredient,together with one or more acceptable carriers and optionally othertherapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in thesense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulationand physiologically innocuous to the recipient thereof.

The formulations include those suitable for the administration routesset forth below. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unitdosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in theart of pharmacy. Techniques and formulations generally can be found inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.),herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such methods includethe step of bringing into association an active ingredient with thecarrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In generalthe formulations can be prepared by uniformly and intimately bringinginto association one or more active ingredients with liquid carriers orfinely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shapingthe product.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administrationmay be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tabletseach containing a predetermined amount of an active ingredient; as apowder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous ornon-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or awater-in-oil liquid emulsion. An active ingredient may also beadministered as a bolus, electuary or paste.

A tablet can made by compression or molding, optionally with one or moreaccessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressingin a suitable machine an active ingredient in a free-flowing form suchas a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant,inert diluent, preservative, surface active or dispersing agent. Moldedtablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of thepowdered active ingredient moistened with an inert liquid diluent. Thetablets may optionally be coated or scored and optionally can beformulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of an activeingredient.

For administration to the eye or other external tissues e.g., mouth andskin, the formulations can be preferably applied as a topical ointmentor cream containing an active ingredient(s) in an amount of, forexample, 0.075 to 20% w/w (including active ingredient(s) in a rangebetween 0.1% and 20% in increments of 0.1% w/w such as 0.6% w/w, 0.7%w/w, etc.), preferably 0.2 to 15% w/w and most preferably 0.5 to 10%w/w. When formulated in an ointment, an active ingredient may beemployed with either a paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base.Alternatively, an active ingredient may be formulated in a cream with anoil-in-water cream base.

If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, forexample, at least 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol, i.e. an alcoholhaving two or more hydroxyl groups such as propylene glycol, butane1,3-diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol and polyethylene glycol(including PEG 400) and mixtures thereof. The topical formulations maydesirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration ofan active ingredient through the skin or other affected areas. Examplesof such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethyl sulphoxide andrelated analogs.

The oily phase of the emulsions of Combination Compounds and/or otheractive ingredients may be constituted from known ingredients in a knownmanner. While the phase may comprise merely an emulsifier (otherwiseknown as an emulgent), it desirably comprises a mixture of at least oneemulsifier with a fat or an oil or with both a fat and an oil.Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with alipophilic emulsifier which acts as a stabilizer. It is also preferredto include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with orwithout stabilizer(s) make up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the waxtogether with the oil and fat make up the so-called emulsifying ointmentbase which forms the oily dispersed phase of the cream formulations.

Emulgents and emulsion stabilizers suitable for use in the formulationof the invention include Tween® 60 (ICI Americas Inc.), Span 80,cetostearyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glycerylmono-stearate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based onachieving the desired cosmetic properties. The cream should preferablybe a non-greasy, non-staining and washable product with suitableconsistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight orbranched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as di-isoadipate,isocetyl stearate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids,isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate,2-ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters known asCrodamol CAP may be used, the last three being preferred esters. Thesemay be used alone or in combination depending on the propertiesrequired. Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as white softparaffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used.

Pharmaceutical formulations according to the present invention compriseone or more active together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers or excipients and optionally other therapeutic agents.Pharmaceutical formulations containing active ingredients may be in anyform suitable for the intended method of administration. When used fororal use for example, tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oilsuspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsions, hard or softcapsules, syrups or elixirs may be prepared. Compositions intended fororal use may be prepared according to any method known to the art forthe manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions maycontain one or more agents including sweetening agents, flavoringagents, coloring agents and preserving agents, in order to provide apalatable preparation. Tablets containing an active ingredient inadmixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipient which aresuitable for manufacture of tablets are acceptable. These excipients maybe, for example, inert diluents, such as calcium or sodium carbonate,lactose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, calciumor sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, such asmaize starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, such as cellulose,microcrystalline cellulose, starch, gelatin or acacia; and lubricatingagents, such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. Tablets may beuncoated or may be coated by known techniques includingmicroencapsulation to delay disintegration and adsorption in thegastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over alonger period. For example, a time delay material such as glycerylmonostearate or glyceryl distearate alone or with a wax may be employed.

Formulations for oral use may be also presented as hard gelatin capsuleswhere an active ingredient(s) is mixed with an inert solid diluent, forexample calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules whereinan active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, such aspeanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions of the invention contain the active materials inadmixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueoussuspensions. Such excipients include a suspending agent, such as sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcelluose,sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia,and dispersing or wetting agents such as a naturally occurringphosphatide (e.g., lecithin), a condensation product of an alkyleneoxide with a fatty acid (e.g., polyoxyethylene stearate), a condensationproduct of ethylene oxide with a long chain aliphatic alcohol (e.g.,heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol), a condensation product of ethylene oxidewith a partial ester derived from a fatty acid and a hexitol anhydride(e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate). The aqueous suspension mayalso contain one or more preservatives such as ethyl or n-propylp-hydroxy-benzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoringagents and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oil suspensions may be formulated by suspending an active ingredient ina vegetable oil, such as arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconutoil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oral suspensionsmay contain a thickening agent, such as beeswax, hard paraffin or cetylalcohol. Sweetening agents, such as those set forth herein, andflavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation.These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an antioxidantsuch as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules of the invention suitable forpreparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide anactive ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, asuspending agent, and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing orwetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those disclosedabove. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring andcoloring agents, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the formof oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, suchas olive oil or arachis oil, a mineral oil, such as liquid paraffin, ora mixture of these. Suitable emulsifying agents includenaturally-occurring gums, such as gum acacia and gum tragacanth,naturally occurring phosphatides, such as soybean lecithin, esters orpartial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, such assorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of these partial esterswith ethylene oxide, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. Theemulsion may also contain sweetening and flavoring agents. Syrups andelixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, such as glycerol,sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, apreservative, a flavoring or a coloring agent.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be in the form of asterile injectable preparation, such as a sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according tothe known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents andsuspending agents which have been mentioned herein. The sterileinjectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution orsuspension in a non-toxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent,such as a solution in 1,3-butane-diol or prepared as a lyophilizedpowder. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employedare water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. Inaddition, sterile fixed oils may conventionally be employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid may likewise be used in the preparation ofinjectables.

The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carriermaterial to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon thehost treated and the particular mode of administration. For example, atime-release formulation intended for oral administration to humans maycontain approximately 1 to 1000 mg of active material compounded with anappropriate and convenient amount of carrier material which may varyfrom about 5 to about 95% of the total compositions (weight:weight). Thepharmaceutical composition can be prepared to provide easily measurableamounts for administration. For example, an aqueous solution intendedfor intravenous infusion may contain from about 3 to 500 μg of an activeingredient per milliliter of solution in order that infusion of asuitable volume at a rate of about 30 mL/hr can occur.

Formulations suitable for administration to the eye include eye dropswherein an active ingredient is dissolved or suspended in a suitablecarrier, especially an aqueous solvent for an active ingredient. Anactive ingredient is preferably present in such formulations in aconcentration of 0.5 to 20%, advantageously 0.5 to 10% particularlyabout 1.5% w/w.

Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth includelozenges comprising an active ingredient in a flavored basis, usuallysucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising an activeingredient in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucroseand acacia; and mouthwashes comprising an active ingredient in asuitable liquid carrier.

Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppositorywith a suitable base comprising for example cocoa butter or asalicylate.

Formulations suitable for intrapulmonary or nasal administration have aparticle size for example in the range of 0.1 to 500 μm (includingparticle sizes in a range between 0.1 and 500 μm in increments such as0.5 μm, 1 μm, 30 μm, 35 μm, etc.), which is administered by rapidinhalation through the nasal passage or by inhalation through the mouthso as to reach the alveolar sacs. Suitable formulations include aqueousor oily solutions of an active ingredient. Formulations suitable foraerosol or dry powder administration may be prepared according toconventional methods and may be delivered with other therapeutic agentssuch as compounds heretofore used in the treatment or prophylaxis ofinfections as described herein.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented aspessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulationscontaining in addition to an active ingredient such carriers as areknown in the art to be appropriate.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous andnon-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants,buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonicwith the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueoussterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickeningagents. The formulations can be presented in unit-dose or multi-dosecontainers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored ina freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition ofthe sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injection, immediatelyprior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions can beprepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kindpreviously described. Preferred unit dosage formulations can be thosecontaining a daily dose or unit daily sub-dose, as herein above recited,or an appropriate fraction thereof, of an active ingredient.

It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularlymentioned above the formulations of Combination Compounds and/or otheractive ingredients may include other agents conventional in the arthaving regard to the type of formulation in question, for example thosesuitable for oral administration may include flavoring agents.

Combination Compounds and other active ingredients can also beformulated to provide controlled release of an active ingredient toallow less frequent dosing or to improve the pharmacokinetic or toxicityprofile of an active ingredient. Accordingly, the invention alsoprovided compositions comprising two or more of the CombinationCompounds formulated for sustained or controlled release.

Dosages

The effective dose of an active ingredient depends at least on thenature of the condition being treated, toxicity, whether the compound isbeing used prophylactically (lower doses) or against an active diseaseor condition, the method of delivery, and the pharmaceuticalformulation, and can be determined by the clinician using conventionaldose escalation studies.

By way of example, compositions of the invention (e.g. tablets) can beformulated to provide effective doses. For example, with respect toCompound 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thecomposition may comprise from 1.0 mg to 100 mg, from 5 mg to 40 mg, from30 mg to 50 mg, or 20 mg or 40 mg and can be adapted to be administeredone or more times daily to a human being in need thereof in combinationwith any one or more of Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 6, Compound 4,Compound 5 and Compound 7. With respect to Compound 2 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the composition may comprisefrom 25 mg to 800 mg, from 50 mg to 400 mg, or from 60 mg to 300 mg orfrom 70 mg to 200 mg or may be 150 mg and can be adapted to beadministered one or more times daily to a human being in need thereof incombination with any one or more of Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 6,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. With respect to Compound 3, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the composition may comprisefrom 10 mg to 1000 mg, or 50 to 400 mg, or 100 mg to 400 mg or 200 mg to400 mg and can be adapted to be administered one or more times daily toa human being in need thereof in combination with any one or more ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 6, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound7. With respect to Compound 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, the composition may comprise from 25 mg to 400 mg or from 25 mgto 200 mg can be adapted to be administered one or more times daily to ahuman being in need thereof in combination with any one or more ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 6, Compound 5 and Compound7. With respect to Compound 5, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, the composition may comprise from 50 mg to 1000 mg or 100 mg to750 mg can be adapted to be administered one or more times daily to ahuman being in need thereof in combination with any one or more ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 6, Compound 4 and Compound7. With respect to Compound 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, the composition may comprise from 1 mg to 500 mg or from 3 mgto 300 mg or from 3 mg to 200 mg or from 3 mg to 100 mg or from 10 mg to90 mg or from 30 mg to 90 mg can be adapted to be administered one ormore times daily to a human being in need thereof in combination withany one or more of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5 and Compound 7. With respect to Compound 7, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the composition may comprisefrom 100 micrograms up to 3000 mg, from 25 mg up to 2000 mg, or from 50mg up to 1000 mg and can be adapted to be administered one or more timesdaily (e.g. four times daily) to a human being in need thereof incombination with any one or more of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6. Dosages for Compounds 1-7 thatare co-administered may need to be adjusted to account for potentialdrug-drug interactions. For example, although it does not appear thatCompound 1 affects drug metabolizing systems, Compound 2 appears to havethe effect of increasing the exposure of Compound 1 approximately 2-3×.Therefore, a dose reduction (e.g. 2×-3×) of Compound 1 would beanticipated when Compound 1 is combined with Compound 2. In combinationwith Compound 6, Compound 2 appears to have the effect of increasing theexposure of Compound 6 approximately 5×, so dose reduction (e.g. 3×-5×)of Compound 6 would be anticipated when Compound 6 is dosed withCompound 2. Therefore, a 10 mg dose of Compound 6 when coadministeredwith Compound 2 approximate to a 30 mg dose.

The two or more Combination Compounds may be administered in conjunctionwith Ribavirin in amounts of about 800 mg, 1000 mg or 1200 mg per day insingle or multiple dosages (e.g. about 400 mg, 500 mg or 600 mg twicedaily).

Use of Combinations of the Invention

In practice of this aspect of the invention, Combination Compounds maybe used in the dosages set forth above.

One aspect of the present invention includes Compound 1 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 1 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may also be Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 2 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 2 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 4.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 3 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 3 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may also be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 4 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 4 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 2 or Compound 3 orCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 5 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 5 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 3 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 6 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 6 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 orCompound 4.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 7 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 7 is used incombination with a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 1 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 1 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 3, or Compound 4, or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 4, or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 2 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 2 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 3 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 3 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 5 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 4 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 4 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 5 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 5 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 6 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 6 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 7 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 7 is used incombination with a second compound and a third compound each selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 1 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 1 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 2 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 2 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 3 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 3 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 5 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 4 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 4 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 5 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 5 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 6 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 6 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. The secondcompound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 7 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 7 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound and a fourthcompound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 1 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 1 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 2 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 2 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 3 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein compound 3 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 5 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 4 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 4 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 5 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 5 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 6 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 6 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes Compound 7 for use in amethod of treating HCV infections, wherein Compound 7 is used incombination with a second compound, a third compound, a fourth compoundand a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

One aspect of the present invention includes a method for amelioratingone or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a method for reducingviral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method of treating HCV in ahuman subject, and a method for reducing emergence of HCV quasispecieswith resistance to coadministered oral antiviral agents, each methodcomprising administering Compound 1 and further comprising administeringa second compound selected from the group consisting of comprisingCompound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may also be Compound 4, Compound 5,Compound 6 or Compound 7

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 2 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6and Compound 7. The second compound may be Compound 4.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 3 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6and Compound 7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 orCompound 5 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptoms of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 4 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6and Compound 7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 2 orCompound 3 or Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 5 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6and Compound 7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 orCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 6 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5and Compound 7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 3 or Compound 4.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 7 and furthercomprising administering a second compound selected from the groupconsisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 1 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 3, or Compound 4, or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 2 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 3 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 or Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 4. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 5 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 4 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 5 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 6 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. The second compound may beCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 or Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 2. The secondcompound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 3. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 7 and furthercomprising administering a second compound and a third compound eachselected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 1 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 2,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, or Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compound may beCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 3 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 2 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 3 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 5 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 4 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 5 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 3 or Compound 6. Thesecond compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 6 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 7. Thesecond compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, or Compound4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compound may beCompound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 7 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound and afourth compound each selected from the group consisting of Compound 1,Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 1 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 2 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 3 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 2 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 2 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 1 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The secondcompound may be Compound 4 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 3 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 4 or Compound 5 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 6. The second compound may be Compound 4 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 5 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 4 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3 orCompound 6. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 andthe third compound may be Compound 6. The second compound may beCompound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 6. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 5 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1 or Compound 5 or Compound 6.The second compound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may beCompound 6.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 6 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound7. The second compound may be Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, andCompound 4. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the third compoundmay be Compound 2. The second compound may be Compound 1 and the thirdcompound may be Compound 3. The second compound may be Compound 1 andthe third compound may be Compound 4. The second compound may beCompound 2 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The second compoundmay be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 4. The secondcompound may be Compound 3 and the third compound may be Compound 5.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptom of HCV infection in a human, a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV, a method oftreating HCV in a human subject, and a method for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents, each method comprising administering Compound 7 and furthercomprising administering a second compound, a third compound, a fourthcompound and a fifth compound each selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5 and Compound6.

Routes and Modes of Administration

Two or more of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound5, Compound 6 and Compound 7 and any other components of a combinationtherapy can be adapted to be administered by any route appropriate tothe condition to be treated. Suitable routes include oral, rectal,nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal and parenteral(including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal,intrathecal and epidural) and the like. It will be appreciated that thepreferred route may vary with, for example, the condition of therecipient.

A synergistic effect may be attained when the active ingredients are:(1) co-formulated (e.g. in a unitary dosage form) and administered ordelivered simultaneously in a combined formulation; (2) delivered byalternation or in parallel as separate formulations; or (3) by someother regimen. When delivered in alternation therapy, a synergisticeffect may be attained when the compounds are administered or deliveredsequentially, e.g., in separate tablets, pills or capsules, or bydifferent injections in separate syringes. In general, duringalternation therapy, an effective dosage of each active ingredient isadministered sequentially, i.e. serially, whereas in combinationtherapy, effective dosages of two or more active ingredients areadministered together.

Co-administration of a Combination Compound with one or more CombinationCompounds generally refers to simultaneous or sequential administrationof one or more Combination Compounds, such that therapeuticallyeffective amounts of two or more Combination Compounds are present inthe body of the patient. In some cases, Combination Compounds (e.g. two,three or four Combinations Compounds) will be co-formulated to allowadministration at the same time. In some cases, co-formulatedCombination Compounds may be co-administered with one or more additionalCombination Compounds.

Co-administration also includes administration of unit dosages of theCombination Compounds before or after administration of unit dosages ofone or more other active ingredients, for example, administration of twoor more Combination Compounds within seconds, minutes, or hours of theadministration of one or more other active ingredients. For example, aunit dose of a Combination Compound can be administered first, followedwithin seconds or minutes by administration of a unit dose of a secondCombination Compound, followed within seconds or minutes byadministration of a unit dose of one or more other active ingredients.Alternatively, a unit dose of one or more other active ingredients canbe administered first, followed within seconds or minutes byadministration of a unit dose of a Combination Compound, followed withinseconds or minutes by administration of a unit dose of a secondCombination Compound. In some cases, it may be desirable to administer aunit dose of a Combination Compound first, followed, after a period ofhours (e.g., 1-12 hours), by administration of a unit dose of a secondCombination Compound, followed, after a period of hours (e.g., 1-12hours), by administration of a unit dose of one or more other activeingredients. In other cases, it may be desirable to administer a unitdose of one or more other active ingredients first, followed, after aperiod of hours (e.g., 1-12 hours), by administration of a unit dose ofa Combination Compound, followed, after a period of hours (e.g., 1-12hours), by administration of a unit dose of a second CombinationCompound. Where three or more Combinations Compounds are administeredwith one or more additional active ingredients, the CombinationCompounds may be administered one after another within seconds, minutes,or hours (e.g. 1-12 hours) of each other and the one or more additionalactive ingredients may be administered before, during or after theadministration of the Combination Compounds. Where Combination Compoundsare co-formulated, they can be administered simultaneously, or before orafter the administration of one or more additional active ingredients.

Unless otherwise specified, the combination therapy may be administeredas separate dosage forms with each active ingredient, administeredtogether or separately, sequentially or concurrently, and close in timeor remote in time to each other.

The course of treatment can extend, for example, from about 12 weeks toabout 48 weeks, or longer, for example, from about 12 weeks to about 24weeks.

The present invention includes a combination of therapeuticallyeffective components to ameliorate at least one symptom of HCV infectionin a human being including, but not limited to, nausea, vomiting, lossof appetite, fatigue, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration,abdominal pain, cirrhosis of the liver. In addition, in some HCVinfected individuals the use of combination therapy is effective toreduce the viral load of HCV viral particles present in the body of theinfected person by a statistically significant amount. Viral load can bemeasured, for example, by measuring plasma HCV RNA levels using, forexample, the COBAS TaqMan HCV assay (Roche Molecular Systems).Typically, an HCV infected person who is treated with the CombinationCompounds in accordance with the present invention experiences animprovement in one or all of the symptoms associated with the HCVinfection.

Combinations of Two or More of the Combination Compounds with Ribavirinbut not Interferon

As discussed above, some current HCV treatments include theadministration of interferon, but this treatment typically producesunwanted side effects. Therefore it would be desirable to find effectiveHCV treatments that do not require the administration interferon.

One aspect of the present invention provides for compositions, methods,uses and the like for the treatment of HCV comprising administering twoor more of the Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof and ribavirin, without administering one or moreinterferons. This aspect of the invention may be particularly usefulbecause it allows for the effective treatment of HCV without the sideeffects associated with the administration of one or more interferon.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the combined amount ofribavirin and Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, optionally with one or more additional agents, is effective totreat HCV infection.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptoms of HCV infection in a humancomprising: administering two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and ribavirin, withoutconcurrent administration of one or more interferon. In this regard, thepresent invention does not foreclose the potential for dosing one ormore interferon. Rather, the present invention may be used inconjunction with another therapy that, in fact, includes one or moreinterferon. An aspect of the present invention includes efficacioustreatment of HCV with ribavirin without the need for one or moreinterferon.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for reducingviral load in a human diagnosed with HCV comprising: administering twoor more of the Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof and ribavirin, but not one or more interferon.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for treatingHCV in a human subject consisting essentially of administration ofribavirin in conjunction with two or more of the Combination Compoundsor pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for reducingemergence of HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oralantiviral agents comprising: administering two or more of theCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof andribavirin, without concurrent administration of one or more interferon.

Similarly, another aspect of the present invention includes acomposition, e.g. a pharmaceutical composition for ameliorating one ormore symptom of HCV infection in a human comprising two or more of theCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof andribavirin, without one or more interferon. Another aspect of the presentinvention includes a composition for reducing viral load in a humandiagnosed with HCV comprising two or more of the Combination Compoundsor pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and ribavirin, but not oneor more interferon. Another aspect of the present invention includes acomposition for treating HCV in a human subject consisting essentiallyof ribavirin in conjunction with two or more of the CombinationCompounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Another aspectof the present invention includes a composition for ribavirin-based HCVtherapy comprising two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with the proviso that saidcomposition does not include one or more interferon. Another aspect ofthe present invention includes a composition for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviral agentscomprising two or more of the Combination Compounds or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof and ribavirin, without one or more interferon.In each of the foregoing, it is further provided that the compositionsmay include compositions in which Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not theonly Combination Compounds and in which Compound 1 and Compound 3 arenot the only Combination Compounds.

Similarly, another aspect of the present invention includes use of: twoor more of the Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof and ribavirin, without one or more interferon, in themanufacture of a medicament for ameliorating one or more symptoms of HCVinfection in a human; as well as use of: two or more of the CombinationCompounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and ribavirin,but not one or more interferon, in the manufacture of medicament forreducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV; as well as use ofribavirin in conjunction with two or more of the Combination Compoundsor pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in the manufacture of amedicament for treating HCV in a human subject, wherein said use doesnot include use of one or more interferon; as well as use of two or moreof the Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for ribavirin-based HCVtherapy, wherein said use avoids administration of one or moreinterferon; as well as use of two or more of the Combination Compoundsor pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and ribavirin, without oneor more interferon in the manufacture of a medicament for reducingemergence of HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oralantiviral agents. In each of the foregoing, it is further provided thatfor each use may include the use in which Compound 1 and Compound 2 arenot the only Combination Compounds and in which Compound 1 and Compound3 are not the only Combination Compounds.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a combinationcomprising ribavirin and two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which combination issubstantially free of one or more interferon. In one embodiment, thecombination may occur as separate dosage forms with each activeingredient, administered together or separate, sequentially orconcurrently, and close in time or remote in time to each other. In eachof the foregoing, it is further provided that the combination mayinclude combinations in which Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the onlyCombination Compounds and in which Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not theonly Combination Compounds.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a kit comprising:ribavirin, two or more of the Combination Compounds and instructionregarding a treatment regimen to treat, reduce viral load, or delayonset or progression of HCV wherein the treatment regimen includesadministration of the two or more of the Combination Compounds andribavirin without administration of one or more interferon. In oneembodiment, such a kit may also include packaging, such as a blisterpack. Alternatively, such a kit may provide for individual prescriptionand dosing of each component as separately packaged pharmaceutics, butwhen combined with the instruction regarding a treatment regimen totreat, reduce viral load, or delay onset or progression of HCV, such isintended to be within the scope of the present invention. In each of theforegoing kits, it is further provided that such kits may include kitsin which Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the only CombinationCompounds and in which Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not the onlyCombination Compounds.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising: ribavirin; two or more of the CombinationCompounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In one embodiment, thepharmaceutical composition may be a unitary dosage form. In each of theforegoing, it is further provided that the compositions may includecompositions in which Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the onlyCombination Compounds and in which Compound 1 and Compound 3 are not theonly Combination Compounds.

Unless otherwise specified, the combination therapy with Ribavirin maybe administered as separate dosage forms with each active ingredientadministered (including the Combination Compounds), may be administeredtogether (e.g., in the form of a unit dosage, such as a tablet) orseparately, sequentially or concurrently, and close in time or remote intime to each other. If administered separately, each compound may beadministered with the other(s) at the same time, or either before orafter such administration of the other(s). The active ingredients can beadministered daily. In one embodiment, a daily dosage of the activeingredients is administered in separate sub-doses, such as one, two,three or four times per day. Advantageously, the daily dosage ofCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof andribavirin may be administered once per day.

Although the present invention includes compositions, methods, uses andthe like for the treatment of HCV comprising administering two or moreCombination Compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; andribavirin, but not one or more interferon, the present invention doesnot foreclose the potential for dosing one or more interferon to thehuman. Rather, the present invention may be used in conjunction withanother therapy for another indication that, in fact, includes one ormore interferon.

Combinations of Two or More of the Combination Compounds with Ribavirinand Interferon

Another aspect of the present invention provides for compositions,methods, uses and the like comprising administering two or more of theCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof andribavirin, and one or more interferon for treatment of HCV. Theadministration of more interferon may be in temporal relation to theadministration of the Combination Compounds and ribavirin.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method forameliorating one or more symptoms of HCV infection in a human comprisingadministering two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, ribavirin, and one or moreinterferons. Another aspect of the present invention includes a methodfor reducing viral load in a human diagnosed with HCV comprising:administering two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof along with ribavirin and oneor more interferons.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method ofribavirin-based HCV therapy comprising administering two or more of theCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof alongwith ribavirin, and one or more interferons.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for reducingemergence of HCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oralantiviral agents comprising: administering two or more of theCombination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof alongwith ribavirin and one or more interferons.

Another aspect of the present invention includes use of two or more ofthe Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereofribavirin, and one or more interferons, in the manufacture of amedicament for ameliorating one or more symptoms of HCV infection in ahuman. Another aspect of the present invention includes use of two ormore of the Combination Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof along with ribavirin and one or more interferons, in themanufacture of medicament for reducing viral load in a human diagnosedwith HCV. Another aspect of the present invention includes use ofribavirin in conjunction with two or more of the Combination Compoundsor pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in the manufacture of amedicament for treating HCV in a human subject, wherein said useincludes use of one or more interferons. Another aspect of the presentinvention includes use of two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in the manufacture of amedicament for ribavirin-based HCV therapy, wherein said use includesadministration of one or more interferon. Another aspect of the presentinvention includes use of two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, ribavirin, and one or moreinterferons in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing emergence ofHCV quasispecies with resistance to coadministered oral antiviralagents.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a combinationcomprising ribavirin and two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which combination includesone or more interferons.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a kit comprising:ribavirin, two or more of the Combination Compounds and one or moreinterferon; and instructions regarding a treatment regimen to treat,reduce viral load, or delay onset or progression of HCV wherein thetreatment regimen includes administration of the two or more of theCombination Compounds and ribavirin and administration of one or moreinterferon. In one embodiment, such a kit may also include packaging,such as a blister pack. Alternatively, such a kit may provide forindividual prescription and dosing of each component as separatelypackaged pharmaceutics, but when combined with the instruction regardinga treatment regimen to treat, reduce viral load, or delay onset orprogression of HCV, such is intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising: two or more of the Combination Compounds orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, ribavirin, and one or moreinterferon; and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In oneembodiment, the pharmaceutical composition may be a unitary dosage form.

Unless otherwise specified, the combination therapy with Ribavirin andone or more interferons may be administered as separate dosage formswith the one or more interferons administered to the patient and each ofthe remaining active ingredients to be employed in the combinationtherapy (including the Combination Compounds) are administered together(e.g., in the form of a unit dosage, such as a tablet) or separately,sequentially or concurrently, and close in time or remote in time toeach other. If administered separately, each active ingredient may beadministered with the other(s) at the same time, or either before orafter such administration of the other(s). The active ingredients can beadministered daily. In one embodiment, a daily dosage is administered inseparate sub-doses, such as one, two, three or four times per day.

Combination Therapy, Including Additional Therapeutics

In another embodiment, non-limiting examples of suitable combinationsinclude the combinations of two or more of Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7(including, but not limited to, combinations in which Compound 1 andCompound 2 are not the only Combination Compounds and in which Compound1 and Compound 3 are not the only Combination Compounds) with one ormore additional active ingredients including HCV NS3 proteaseinhibitors, alpha-glucosidase 1 inhibitors, hepatoprotectants,nucleoside or nucleotide inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase,non-nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase, HCV NS5A inhibitors,TLR-7 agonists, cyclophilin inhibitors, HCV IRES inhibitors, HCV entryinhibitors, HCV maturation inhibitors, and pharmacokinetic enhancers, aswell as other drugs for treating HCV. More specifically, one or morecompounds of the present invention may be combined with one or morecompounds selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (i) HCV NS3 protease inhibitors, e.g., boceprevir (SCH-503034,        SCH-7), telaprevir (VX-950) TMC-435 (IUPAC        N-[(2R,3aR,10Z,11aS,12aR,14aR)-2-[2-(4-Isopropylthiazol-2-yl)-7-methoxy-8-methylquinolin-4-yloxy]-5-methyl-4,14-dioxo-1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,8,9,11a,12,12a,13,14,14a-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[c]cyclopropa[g][1,6]diazacyclotetradecin-12a-ylcarbonyl]cyclopropanesulfonamide];    -   (ii) alpha-glucosidase 1 inhibitors, e.g., celgosivir (MX-3253),        and Miglitol;    -   (iii) hepatoprotectants, e.g., emericasan (IDN-6556), ME-3738,        silibilin, and MitoQ;    -   (iv) nucleoside or nucleotide inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase,        e.g., valopicitabine (NM-283);    -   (v) non-nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase, e.g.,        filibuvir (PF-868554) VCH-796 (nesbuvir);    -   (vi) HCV NS5A inhibitors;    -   (vii) TLR-7 agonists, e.g., imiquimod and Compound 8;    -   (viii) cyclophilin inhibitors;    -   (ix) HCV IRES inhibitors;    -   (x) pharmacokinetic enhancers, e.g. roxythromycin;    -   (xi) HCV entry inhibitors;    -   (xii) HCV maturation inhibitors, and    -   (xiii) other drugs for treating HCV, e.g., thymosin alpha 1        (Zadaxin), nitazoxanide (Alinea, NTZ), BIVN-401 (virostat),        PYN-17 (altirex), actilon (CPG-10101), civacir, tarvacin,        Bavituximab, MDX-1106 (ONO-4538), Oglufanide, and VX-497        (merimepodib).

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES

Synthetic protocols for the preparation of Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and8 are known in the literature. Additionally, a synthetic protocol forpreparing each of the Combination Compounds is provided in the Examplesbelow.

Compound 1 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,720. Compound 1 can also beprepared as described in the following Example.

Example 15-({6-[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridazin-3-yl}methyl)-2-(2-fluorophenyl)-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine1

Compound MW Amount Moles Equivalents 104 453/9 95 mg 0.209 1 DME 500 μL2N aq. Na₂CO₃ 313 μL 0.626 3 105 257.93 80.9 mg 0.313 1.5 Pd(PPh₃)₄ 115512 mg 0.0104 0.05

Compound 104 was dissolved in dimethoxyethane (DME). To this solutionwas added 2,4-bis(trifluromethyl)phenylboronic acid 105 and a 2N aq.Na₂CO₃ solution. To the resulting biphasic mixture was added Pd(PPh₃)₄and the reaction was then heated at 80° C. for 72 his. The reaction wascooled to room temperature and filtered through Celite and the Celitewashed with EtOAc. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residuewas purified on 6 g SiO₂ using MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ to elute compound. Thecompound thus obtained was contaminated with PPh₃(O). The product wasrepurified on a 1 mm Chromatotron plate with 0 to 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ in 1%steps. The pure fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuo, thendried on high vacuum for 12 hrs. 11.8 mg of the free base of compound 1was obtained with no PPh₃ contamination. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 6.20(s, 2), 7.32 (m, 3), 7.52 (m, 1), 7.78 (d, 1), 7.89 (d, 1), 7.95 (s, 2),8.15 (m, 3), 8.35 (d, 1), 9.12 (s, 1); LC/MS M+H=518.

The intermediate compound 104 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 102.

Compound MW Amount mmoles Equivalents 101 128.56 5 g 38.9 1 TCCA 232.413.62 g 15.6 0.4 CHCl₃ 130 mL

To a solution of the commercially available starting material 101 inCHCl₃, trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) was added at 60° C. Then thesolution was stirred for 1.5 hrs, cooled, and filtered withHiFlo-Celite. The filtrate was concentrated and dried with vacuum. Theyield was 5.037 g of compound 102.

b. Preparation of Compound 104.

Compound MW Amount mmoles Equivalents 102 163 5.073 g 31.12 1 103 213.26.635 g 31.12 1 NaOH (10%) 40 1.245 g 31.12 1 DMF 320 mL

To a solution of compound 103 in DMF (dimethylformamide), NaOH wasadded.

Compound 102 was dissolved in DMF (20 mL) and added to the solutionslowly. The reaction was stirred for 3 hrs, was diluted with water andextracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was dried with Na₂SO₄. Thesolvent was removed and the product recrystallized with dichloromethane.The yield was 5.7 g of compound 104.

Compound 2 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/202,319 (US 20100051763 A1).Compound 2 can also be prepared as described in the following Example.

Example 2 Preparation of Compound 2

Phosphinate ester 206 (23.7 g, 24.05 mmol) was dissolved in CH₃CN (240mL) and cooled to 0° C. Iodotrimethylsilane (17.4 mL, 122.3 mmol) wasadded at a fast drop-wise pace followed by, after 10 min, 2,6-lutidine(17.0 mL, 146.4 mmol). The reaction mixture was slowly warmed to roomtemperature and stirred for 1 h then cooled back down to 0° C. and2,6-lutidine (11.1 mL, 95.6 mmol) followed by MeOH (24 mL) were added.The solution was concentrated in vacuo and the crude residue waspurified by HPLC to afford 12.68 g of Compound 2 in 55% yield. ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.35 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H),7.64 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.35-7.22 (m, 1H), 7.02-6.89 (m, 2H), 5.85 (bs,1H), 4.82-4.71 (m, 2H), 4.33 (bs, 1H), 4.28-3.99 (m, 3H), 4.16 (s, 3H),3.57-3.28 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.78 m, 1H), 2.63-2.50 (m, 1H), 2.08-1.91 (m,1H), 1.91-170 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.13 (m, 22H), 1.37 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 6H); 31PNMR (121.4 MHz, CD₃OD) δ42.4; LCMS (M+1): 957.35. g.

Intermediate compound 206 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 203

Compound 201 (17.42 g, 28.30 mmol) was dissolved in THE (136 mL) andcooled to 0° C. To the solution was added N-methylmorpholine (4.7 mL,42.7 mmol). After 10 min at 0° C., i-butylchloroformate (4.05 mL, 30.96mmol) was added dropwise. After an additional 1 h,(1-amino-2-vinyl-cyclopropyl)-(2,6-difluoro-benzyl)-phosphinic acidethyl ester 202 (8.94 g, 29.70 mmol) was slowly added as a solution inTHF (20 mL). The suspension was warmed to room temperature and after 2 hit was partitioned between H₂O (400 mL) and ethylacetate (200 mL). Theaqueous layer was extracted with ethylacetate (200 mL×2) and thecombined organic layers were washed with HCl (1N, 225 mL) and H₂O (200mL). The acid wash and aqueous wash were combined and back-extractedwith ethylacetate (175 mL×2, 100 mL×2). The combined organic layers werewashed with brine (400 mL), dried over Na2SO4, and concentrated in vacuoproviding 25.06 g of diene 203 in 98.5% crude yield. LCMS (M+1): 898.06.

b. Preparation of Compound 204

Compound 203 (12.91 g, 14.36 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (1440 mL) andthe solution was degassed for 30 minutes. The solution was heated to 40°C. and Grubb's G1 catalyst (2.95 g, 3.59 mmol) was added. The reactionwas refluxed for 17 h whereupon tris-hydroxymethylphosphine (22.3 g,18.0 mmol), TEA (50 mL, 35.9 mmol), and H₂O (400 mL) were added and thereaction mixture was heated to reflux for an additional 16 hours. Thereaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the two layers wereseparated. The organic layer was washed with H₂O (400 mL) and brine (300mL), dried over MgSO4, and concentrated. The crude residue was purifiedby silica-gel chromatography to afford 8.30 g of macrocyclic olefin 204in 66% yield. LCMS (M+1): 870.09.

c. Preparation of Compound 205

The macrocyclic olefin 204 (7.34 g, 8.42 mmol) was dissolved inethylacetate (105 mL) and rhodium on alumina (5% wt, 2.945 g, 0.40 wt %)was added. The system was evacuated and flushed with H₂ (1 atm, 3×). Tothe system, after 3 h, was added more rhodium on alumina (5% wt, 842 mg,0.10 wt %) and evacuated and flushed with H₂ (1 atm, 3×). After anadditional 1 h the suspension was filtered and concentrated in vacuoproviding 6.49 g of reduced macrocycle 205 in 88% crude yield. LCMS(M+1): 872.04.

d. Preparation of Compound 206

The brosylate macrocycle 205 (6.49 g, 7.67 mmol) was dissolved inN-methylpyrrolidinone (25.0 mL) and8-chloro-2-(2-isopropylamino-thiazol-4-yl)-7-methoxy-quinolin-4-ol 207(2.564 g, 7.33 mmol) followed by Cs₂CO₃ (4.40 g, 13.50 mmol) were added.The mixture was heated to 65° C. for 6 h then diluted with ethylacetate(200 mL) and washed with LiCl (5%, 250 mL). The aqueous layer wasextracted with ethylacetate (100 mL×2) and the combined organic layerswere washed with brine (150 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄/MgSO₄, andconcentrated in vacuo. The crude residue was purified via silica-gelchromatography (ethylacetate-methanol) affording 4.39 g of aminothiazole206 in 58% yield. LCMS (M+1): 985.28.

Intermediate Compound 201 can be prepared as follows.

e. Preparation of Compound 209

Compound 208 (7.00 g, 28.55 mmol) and DABCO (5.13 g, 45.94 mmol) weredissolved in toluene (30 mL). A toluene (11 mL) solution ofbrosylchloride (10.22 g, 40.01 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture wasstirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was diluted withEtOAc (210 mL) and 0.5N HCl (200 mL) was added. The two layers wereseparated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2×200 mL). Thecombined organic layers were washed with brine (200 mL), dried withNa₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude product was purified bycombi-flash to give 12.23 g of compound 209 in 92% yield.

f. Preparation of Compounds 210 and 212

Compound 209 (12.2 g, 26.3 mmol) was treated with 4 N HCl/1,4-dioxane(60 mL) and stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was concentratedand dried under vacuum for 20 minutes. The crude amine HCl salt ofcompound 210 was dissolved in DMF (150 mL) and acid 211 (14.2 g, 52.6mmol) was added. HATU (20.0 g, 52.6 mmol) and NMM (13.5 g, 131.5 mmol)were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (300 mL), washed with 1 NHCl (200 mL), saturated NaHCO₃, brine, dried with Na₂SO₄, andconcentrated. The crude product was purified by combi-flash to give 15.1g of compound 212 in 93% yield.

g. Preparation of Compound 213

To a solution of 212 (12.8 g, 20.7 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) was added 4 NHCl in 1,4-dioxane (50 mL, 200 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirredat room temperature for 2 hours, concentrated, dried under vacuum for 20minutes, and then dissolved in CH₃CN (50 mL). Saturated NaHCO₃ in H₂O(50 mL) was added and stirred for 5 minutes. Freshly preparedcyclopentylchloroformate in THF (50 mL) was added. The reaction wascomplete within 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure andthe residue was diluted with EtOAc. The mixture was brought to pH=2 with1 N HCl and the two layers were separated. The organic layers werewashed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to givecrude compound 213 (3.18 g).

h. Preparation of Compound 201

The crude ester 213 (3.18 g, 5.07 mmol) was dissolved in THF (25 mL),H₂O (25 mL), and then MeOH (6 mL) and LiOH (660 mg, 25.4 mmol) wasadded. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h anddiluted with EtOAc. The reaction mixture was acidified to pH 2 with 1 NHCl and the two layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extractedwith EtOAc (2×). The combined organic layers were washed with brine,dried with Na₂SO₄ concentrated and dried under vacuum to give 3.09 g ofacid 201.

Intermediate8-chloro-2-(2-isopropylamino-thiazol-4-yl)-7-methoxy-quinolin-4-ol 207can be prepared as follows.

i. Preparation of 8-chloro-4-hydroxy-7-methoxyquinoline-2-carboxylicacid 215

To a solution of methyl8-chloro-4-hydroxy-7-methoxyquinoline-2-carboxylate 214 (36.5 g, 0.145mol) in a mixture of 1:1 of MeOH: THF (160 mL total) was added asolution of LiOH (30.5 g, 0.725 mol) in H₂O (80 mL). The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for an hour when LCMS analysis showedcomplete conversion to the carboxylic acid. The reaction was worked upby removal of the volatiles and adjusting the pH of the solution to 6using aqueous 6N HCl. The resulted gummy residue was filtered and driedon the lyophilizer for 2 days to provide 34.4 g (99.6%) of compound 215as a white solid. EI MS (m/z) 253.9 [M+H].

j. Preparation of 2-(2-diazo-1-oxo)-8-chloro-7-methoxyquinolin-4-ylisobutyl carbonate 216

To a solution of 8-chloro-4-hydroxy-7-methoxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid215 (10.2 g, 0.04 mol) in THF (400 mL) was added triethyl amine (12.3mL, 0.088 mol) and i-Butylchloroformate (11.6 mL, 0.088 mol) at 0° C.under an argon atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hourwhen LCMS analysis demonstrated completion of the reaction to providethe desired mixed anhydride. EI MS (m/z) 454.0 [M+H]. To the reactionmixture of the anhydride was added a 1M solution of diazomethane (121mL, 0.121 mol) in diethyl ether via a plastic funnel at 0° C. Thismixture was allowed to stir while warming up to room temperature foradditional 2 hours. Analysis of the mixture by LCMS demonstratedcompletion of the reaction. The septum was removed and the reaction wasstirred for additional 20 minutes before removal of the solvent. Theresidue was dried further under high vacuum to provide compound 216,which was carried on to the next step. EI MS (m/z) 377.9 [M+H].

k. Preparation of8-chloro-2-(2-(isopropylamino)thiazol-4-yl)-7-methoxyquinolin-4-ol 207

To a cooled solution of2-(2-diazo-1-oxo)-8-chloro-7-methoxyquinolin-4-yl isobutyl carbonate 216(15.2 g, 0.040 mol) at 0° C. in THF (268 mL) was added 48% HBr (23 mL,0.201 mol) slowly over 15 minutes. The solution was stirred at 0° C. foran additional 40 minutes when LCMS analysis demonstrated completereaction. The reaction was worked up by addition of aqueous 1N NaOH (180mL) at 0° C. to adjust the pH of the aqueous layer to 9. The layers wereseparated and the aqueous layer was washed with EtOAc (2×200 mL).Combined organic extracts were washed with brine and dried over MgSO4.The solvent was removed in vacuo to provide 17.7 g of a yellow solid. EIMS (m/z) 4³¹0.9 [M+H].

The solution of the bromoketone obtained from the previous reaction wassuspended in i-propanol (270 mL) and isopropylisourea (9.4 g, 0.080mol). The reaction mixture was heated at 72° C. for 32 hours. LCMSanalysis of the reaction demonstrated complete conversion to thedesired-product. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature toallow for the product to precipitate out of the solution. The reactionwas further cooled to 0° C. for 12 hours before filtration. The filtratewas washed with ether and dried on lyopholizer to provide 8.03 g ofcompound 207 as an orange solid. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.21 (d, J=9Hz, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=10 Hz), 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 4.05 (s,3H), 3.92 (pentet, J=6 Hz, 1H), 1.25 (d, J=7 Hz, 6H): EI MS (m/z) 350.0[M+H].

Compound 3 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/215,605 (US 20090257978 A1).Compound 3 can also be prepared as described in the following Example.

Example 3 Preparation of Compound 3

Compound 315 (12 g, 13 mmol) was dissolved in THE (200 ml), LiOH (11 g,260 mmol) in H₂O (200 ml) was added, followed by MeOH (200 ml). Themixture was kept stirring at room temperature for 20 hours. Uponcompletion of the reaction, 4 N HCl in H₂O was added to adjust pH to 7at 0° C. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×400 ml). The combinedorganic layer was washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated invacuo to give compound 3 as a yellow solid (11 g, 93%). LC/MS=911.52(M⁺+1). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) 7.95 (d, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.48 (s,1H), 7.31 (d, 1H), 5.42 (s, 1H), 4.37 (dd, 1H), 4.20 (m, 2H), 3.83-3.56(m, 7H), 3.50 (m, 2H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 2.45 (m, 1H), 2.27 (m, 1H), 1.62(m, 2H), 1.50 (m, 1H), 1.33 (m, 2H), 1.18 (m, 1H), 1.05 (m, 8H), 0.90(m, 3H), 0.76 (m, 11H), 0.14-0.04 (m, 2H)

The intermediate compound 315 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 301.

To a dry, argon purged three-neck round bottom flask (1000 mL) wereadded anhydrous dichloromethane (100 mL) and Et₂Zn (28 mL, 273 mmol) at0° C. (CAUTION: Source of argon can not be from needle. Use appropriateglass adapter only. A second bubbler can also be attached to the flaskto prevent excessive pressure build up.) Cyclopenten-3-ol (10.0 mL, 119mmol) was then added dropwise (large quantity of ethane gas wasproduced) to the flask and the reaction mixture was allowed to stiruntil the evolution of gas had ceased. Diiodomethane (22 mL, 242 mmol)was then added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes. The reaction wasallowed to warm to room temperature and continued to stir overnightunder a positive flow of argon, at which point TLC analysis hadindicated complete disappearance of the starting alcohol. The reactionwas then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and quenched with 2M HCl (white precipitateshould be completely dissolved). The biphasic mixture was poured into aseparatory funnel and the organic layer was collected. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure until 100 mL of material containingcompound 301 remained.

b. Preparation of Compound 302.

Anhydrous dichloromethane (525 mL) was added to the flask followed bythe dropwise addition of triethylamine (34 mL, 245 mmol). The reactioncontinued to stir at room temperature under a positive flow of nitrogenat which point, disuccinimidylcarbonate (40.7 g, 159 mmol) was added tothe flask portion wise. The reaction was allowed to stir until TLCanalysis indicated complete disappearance of the starting material (2-3days). Upon completion, the reaction mixture was quenched with 1M HCl(200 mL×2) and washed with H₂O (200 mL×2). The desired material wasextracted using CH₂Cl₂ and the combined organic layers were dried usinganhydrous MgSO₄ and passed through a silica plug. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure and the crude material was purified usingflash chromatography (R_(f)=0.33, 1:1 Hex/EtOAc) to provide compound 302(22 g, 75%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.24 (t, 1H), 3.82 (s, 4H), 2.24(m, 2H), 2.03 (d, 2H), 1.38 (m, 2H), 0.48 (m, 1H), 0.40 (m, 1H).

c. Preparation of Compound 304.

N-t-Boc-cis-4-Hydroxy-L-Proline methyl ester 303 (100.0 g, 407.7 mmol)and DABCO (1.5 eq, 68.6 g, 611.6 mmol) were dissolved in anhydroustoluene (200 mL) in a 2 L three necked round bottom flask with amechanical stirrer and an addition funnel. After cooling the solution to0° C. under N₂, A solution of 4-Bromo-benzenesulfonyl chloride (1.3 eq,135.6 g, 530.0 mmol) in 300 mL of toluene was added through additionfunnel over 60 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred and warmed toroom temperature overnight (16 hours). The mixture was slowly pouredinto 2 L 1M Na₂CO₃(aq.), and the product was extracted with EtOAc (2 L).After the organic phase was washed by 0.5 N HCl (2 L), H₂O (1 L), andbrine (1 L), it was dried (MgSO₄), concentrated to give 195.45 g of ayellow oily brosylate product.

To a solution of the above brosylate (407.7 mmol) in dichloromethane(300 mL) was slowly added 4.0 M HCl in dioxane (500 mL, 5 eq) and theresulting solution was allowed to stir at room temperature for 2 hours.After ether (500 mL) was added to the reaction mixture, the mixture wasstirred for 15 minutes and the white precipitate was collected byfiltration. The solid was washed with ether and hexane and then driedunder vacuum overnight to obtain 153.0 g of the HCl amine salt ofcompound 304, 381.8 mmol, in 94% yield for two steps.

d. Preparation of Compound 305.

To a solution of Boc-tert-butyl-glycine (97.0 g, 420.0 mmol) in DMF (200mL) and DCM (200 mL) were added HATU (217.76 g, 572.7 mmol) and Hunig'sbase (126 mL, 1145.4 mmol) at room temperature. After the mixture wasstirred for 20 minutes at room temperature, a solution of the previousHCl salt (153.0 g, 381.8 mmol) and Hunig's base (126 mL, 1145.4 mmol) inDMF (200 mL) and dichloromethane (200 mL) was added to the above acidmixture in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 3 h, with monitoring by LCMS. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated to remove dichloromethane under reduced pressure and thewhite solid that formed was filtered off. The remaining DMF solution wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (1 L), washed successively with 3% LiCl (aq)(3×650 mL), sat'd NH₄Cl (2×500 mL), 0.5N HCl (aq) (2×600 mL), brine (500mL), sat'd NaHCO₃ (3×500 mL), and brine (500 mL). The resulting organicfraction was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to afford compound 305 (111g).

e. Preparation of Compound 306.

To a solution of the methyl ester 305 (120 g, 207.8 mmol) in THF (300mL), MeOH (75 mL) was added a solution of LiOH (26.18 g, 623.4 mmol) inH₂O (150 mL). The solution was allowed to stir at room temperature for 4hours. The mixture was cooled in an ice-bath while acidifying with 3NHCl to pH about 5.5, stirred for 10 minutes, and the resulting whitesolids were collected by filtration. The solids were washed with morewater, ether and hexane. The solids were dried under vacuum at 40° C.overnight to give 95.78 g (82%) of the acid 306.

f. Preparation of Compound 307.

To a solution of the carboxylic acid 306 (81.4 g, 144.27 mmol) in DMF(200 mL) and dichloromethane (200 mL) was added HATU (82.3 g, 216.4mmol) and Hunig's base (47.5 mL, 432.8 mmol) at room temperature. Afterthe mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at room temperature, a solutionof amine (158.7 mmol) and Hunig's base (47.5 mL, 1145.4 mmol) in DMF(200 mL) and dichloromethane (200 mL) was added to the above acidmixture in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 3 hours and monitored by LCMS. After the mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure to remove dichloromethane, the whitesolids that formed were filtered off. The remaining DMF solution wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (600 mL) and successively washed with 3% LiCl(aq) (2×550 mL), sat'd NH₄Cl (500 mL), 1N HCl (aq) (500 mL), sat'dNaHCO₃ (500 mL), and brine (300 mL). The resulting organic fraction wasdried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to afford compound 307 (111 g).

g. Preparation of Compound 308.

Compound 307 was dissolved in 4N HCl in dioxane (300 mL) at roomtemperature and stirred for 2 hours. It was then concentrated undervacuum, and co-evaporated with dichloromethane (2×200 mL) to dryness.The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (600 mL) and sat'd aq. NaHCO₃ (1 L).It was stirred vigorously. After 10 minutes, carbonic acidbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl ester 2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl ester 302 (41.4g, 173.1 mmol) was added in one portion. After the resulting mixture wasstirred for another 30 minutes, the organic layer was collected andwashed with brine (500 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. The crudeproduct was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with ethylacetate/hexane to afford 94.44 g (92%) of compound 308.

h. Preparation of Compound 310.

1-(2-Amino-3-chloro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone 309 (70.7 g, 354 mmol)was stirred in 48% aq. HBr (500 mL) at 110° C. for 72 hours. After themixture was cooled to 0° C. with stirring, the solids were filtered andwashed with water. The resulting solids were triturated with a saturatedNaHCO₃ solution (˜350 mL), filtered, washed with water, and dried undervacuum to give ˜40 g (61%) of crude 310 as a dark brown solid. LC/MS=186(M⁺+1).

i. Preparation of Compound 311.

1-(2-Amino-3-chloro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone 310 (40 g, 215 mmol) wasdissolved in DMF (360 ml). Cesium carbonate (140 g, 430 mmol) was added,followed by bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (54.5 g, 323 mmol). Themixture was then vigorously stirred at 65° C. for 24 hours. Upon coolingto room temperature, EtOAc (1 L) and H₂O (1 L) were added to themixture. The organic layer was extracted with EtOAc (1×400 ml). Thecombined organic layer was washed with aqueous 3% LiCl solution (2×1 L),brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by silica gel chromatography to give compound 311 as a whitesolid (39 g, 67%).

j. Preparation of Compound 312.

To a mixture of1-[2-Amino-3-chloro-4-(2,2-dimethoxy-ethoxy)-phenyl]-ethanone 311 (13 g,47.5 mmol) and isopropylaminothiazole-4-carboxylic acid hydrobromide(12.64 g, 47.5 mmol) in pyridine (150 ml) was slowly added phosphorusoxychloride (9.47 g, 61.8 mmol) at −40° C. The mixture was then stirredat 0° C. for 4 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, H₂O (30 ml) wasadded dropwise to the mixture. The mixture was then stirred at 0° C. foranother 15 minutes. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residuewas diluted with EtOAc, washed with a sat. NaHCO₃ aqueous solution. Theorganic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residuewas dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, hexanes were added slowly to the solution, anda yellow solid started to crash out. More hexanes were added until notmuch product was left in the mother liquid to provide compound 312 (18g, 85%).

k. Preparation of Compound 313.

2-Isopropylamino-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid[6-acetyl-2-chloro-3-(2,2-dimethoxy-ethoxy)-phenyl]-amide 312 (18 g,40.7 mmol) was suspended in toluene (400 ml). NaH (2.4 g, 61 mmol) wasadded to the vigorously stirred mixture while monitoring H₂ evolution.The mixture became a clear solution during heating to reflux. Thereaction was complete after refluxing for 3 hours. The mixture wascooled to room temperature. A solution of AcOH (69.2 mmol) in H₂O (3vol) was added to the mixture. After vigorous agitation for 1 hour at 0°C., the solids were collected by filtration, rinsed forward with H₂O.The wet cake was dried under high vacuum to a constant weight to providecompound 313 (15 g, 86%).

l. Preparation of Compound 314.

To a mixture of brosylate intermediate 303 (15 g, 35 mmol) and compound313 (27.5 g, 38.5 mmol) in NMP (200 ml) was added cesium carbonate (25.1g, 77 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 65° C. for 5 hours. The reactionwas cooled to room temperature and EtOAc (600 ml) and an aqueoussolution of 3% LiCl (600 ml) were added to the mixture. The organiclayer was washed with aqueous 3% LiCl (1×600 ml), brine, dried (Na₂SO₄)and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gelchromatography to give the desired methyl ester as a yellow solid (23.6g, 75%). LC/MS=900. 13 (M⁺+1).

m. Preparation of Compound 315.

Methyl ester 314 (23.6 g, 26 mmol) was dissolved in glacial acetic acid(200 ml), 1.4 N HCl in H₂O (75 ml) was added to the solution. Themixture was stirred at 60° C. for 1 hour. Upon completion of thereaction, the mixture was concentrated to remove the solvents,coevaporated with toluene (×2) to remove residual acetic acid. Theresidue was then dissolved in EtOAc (500 ml) and sat. NaHCO₃ aqueoussolution (enough to neutralize the mixture) while monitoring CO₂evolution. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated in vacuo. The residue was further dried under high vacuumfor 1 h and used as is for the next step. The crude was dissolved inCH₂Cl₂ (360 ml), morpholine (3.4 g, 39 mmol) and sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (7.2 g, 34 mmol) were added to the mixture at 0°C. Then glacial acetic acid (0.47 g, 7.8 mmol) was added dropwise to themixture. The reaction was complete in 10 minutes at 0° C. Sat. NaHCO₃aqueous solution was added to quench the reaction. After stirring foranother 20 minutes, the organic layer was washed with brine, dried(Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silicagel chromatography to give the desired amine product 315 as a yellowsolid (12 g, 50%). LC/MS=924.63 (M⁺+1).

Compound 4 can be prepared as described in the following Example.

Example 4 Preparation of Compound 4

Diastereomeric mixture 414 was dissolved in heptane and isopropanol(70%:30%, 230 mg in 4.5 mL of the mixed solvents) and subjected tochiral column separation under the following conditions:

Column: Chiralcel OD-H, 2×25 cm

Solvent system: 70% heptane and 30% isopropanol

Flow rate: 6 mL/min.

Loading volume per run: 2.5 mL

Compound 4 had a retention time of 20 minutes. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃):δ 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.1-7.3 (m, 5H), 6.83 (d, 1H), 6.71 (d, 1H), 6.09 (brs,2H), 5.95 (s, 1H), 5.04 (m, 2H), 4.67 (q, 1H), 4.35-4.52 (m, 2H), 4.00(m, 2H), 2.74 (m, 1H), 1.40 (d, 3H), 1.2-1.3 (12H), 0.98 (s, 3H). ³¹PNMR (121.4 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.72 (s). Compound 4 was subsequentlyrecrystallized from MTBE for x-ray quality crystals.

Compound 4a had a retention time 50 min. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.98(s, 1H), 7.1-7.3 (m, 5H), 6.83 (d, 1H), 6.73 (d, 1H), 6.02 (brs, 2H),5.95 (s, 1H), 5.08 (d, 1H), 5.00 (m, 1H), 4.68 (q, 1H), 4.38-4.56 (m,2H), 3.98 (m, 2H), 2.74 (m, 1H), 1.40 (d, 3H), 1.2-1.3 (12H), 0.99 (s,3H). ³¹P NMR (121.4 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.61 (s).

The intermediate diastereomeric mixture 414 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 402.

To a solution of compound 401 (22.0 g, 54.9 mmol, prepared according tothe procedures described in J.O.C., 2004, 6257) in methanol (300 mL) wasdropwise added acetyl chloride (22 mL) at 0° C. using a dropping funnelover a period of 30 minutes and then stirred at room temperature for 16hours. The mixture was concentrated, re-dissolved in ethyl acetate (400mL), washed with ice-cold 2 N NaOH, and concentrated to dryness,affording the crude methyl ether 402 as an oil. MS=437.2 (M+Na⁺).

b. Preparation of Compound 403.

To a solution of compound 402 in methanol (300 mL) was added 0.5 Msodium methoxide solution in methanol (20 mL, 10 mmol), and stirred for16 hours at room temperature. The reaction was quenched with 4.0 N HClsolution in dioxane (2.5 mL, 10 mmol). The mixture was thenconcentrated, affording the crude compound 403. MS=201.0 (M+Na⁺).

c. Preparation of Compound 404.

A mixture of compound 403, Tritron X-405 (70% in water, 6.0 g), 50% KOH(in water, 85 g) in toluene (500 mL) was heated to reflux with aDean-Stark trap attached. After 1 hour collecting 25 mL of water, benzylchloride (33 g, 260 mmol) was added and continued to reflux withstirring for 16 hours. The mixture was then cooled and partitionedbetween ethyl acetate (400 mL) and water (300 mL). The organic layer waswashed with water (300 mL), and concentrated. The residue was purifiedby silica gel column chromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes), affording themethyl ether 404 as an oil (22.0 g, 89% in three steps). ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.3 (m, 15H), 4.5-4.9 (m, 7H), 4.37 (m, 1H), 3.87 (d,1H), 3.56 (m, 2H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s, 3H).

d. Preparation of Compound 405.

To a solution of 404 (22.0 g, 49.0 mmol) in acetic acid (110 mL) wasadded 3 M sulfuric acid (prepared by mixing 4.8 g of concentratedsulfuric acid with 24 mL of water) and stirred at 70° C. for 8 hours.The mixture was concentrated to a volume of 20 mL, and partitionedbetween ethyl acetate and ice-cold 2N NaOH. The ethyl acetate layer wasconcentrated, and purified by silica gel column chromatography (˜35%EtOAc/hexanes), affording compound 405 as an oil (17.0 g, 80%). MS=457.2(M+Na⁺).

e. Preparation of Compound 406.

To a solution of compound 405 (45 g, 104 mmol) in DMSO (135 mL) wasdropwise added acetic anhydride (90 mL, 815 mmol) at room temperatureunder argon. The mixture was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature,and then poured into ice-water (1 L) while stirring. After ice wascompletely melted (30 minutes), ethyl acetate (500 mL) was added. Theorganic layer was separated. This extraction process was repeated threetimes (3×500 mL). The organic extracts were combined and concentrated.The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (20%EtOAc/hexanes), affording compound 406 as an oil (39 g, 88%). ¹H NMR(300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 7.3 (m, 15H), 4.4-4.8 (m, 7H), 4.08 (d, J=7.5 Hz,1H), 3.75 (dd, J=2, 4, 11.4 Hz, 1H), 3.64 (dd, J=5.4, 11.4 Hz, 1H), 1.51(s, 3H).

f. Preparation of Compound 407.

To a dry, argon purged round bottom flask (100 mL) were added7-bromo-pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4-ylamine (234 mg, 1.10 mmol)(prepared according to WO2007056170) and anhydrous THE (1.5 mL). TMSCl(276 μL, 2.2 mmol) was then added and the reaction mixture stirred for 2hours. The flask was placed into a dry ice/acetone bath (−78° C.) andBuLi (2.5 mL, 4.0 mmol, 1.6M in hexanes) was added dropwise. After 1hour, a solution of compound 406 (432.5 mg, 1.0 mmol) in THF was cooledto 0° C. and then added to the reaction flask dropwise. After 1 hour ofstirring at −78° C., the flask was warmed to 0° C. and sat. NH₄Cl (5 mL)was added to quench the reaction. The organics were extracted usingEtOAc (3×10 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried using MgSO₄.The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude materialwas purified using flash chromatography (hexanes/EtOAc). 560 mg (90%) ofcompound 407 was isolated as a mixture of two anomers. LC/MS=567.2(M+H⁺). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.85 (m, 1H), 7.27 (m, 15H), 7.01 (m,1H), 6.51 (m, 1H), 4.66 (m, 8H), 4.40 (m, 2H), 3.79 (m, 3H), 1.62 (s,2′-CH₃ from the one anomer), 1.18 (s, 2′-CH₃ from the other anomer).

g. Preparation of Compound 408.

To a solution of Compound 407 (1 g, 1.77 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) at 0°C. was added TMSCN (1.4 mL, 10.5 mmol) and BF₃-Et₂O (1 mL, 8.1 mmol).The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 hours, then at roomtemperature for additional 0.5 hour. The reaction was quenched withNaHCO₃ at 0° C., and diluted with CH₃CO₂Et. The organic phase wasseparated, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel,eluted with CH₃CO₂Et-hexanes (1:1 to 2:1), to give compound 408 (620 mg,61%) as an isomeric mixture. MS=576.1 (M+H⁺).

h. Preparation of Compound 409.

To a solution of compound 408 (150 mg, 0.26 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) at−78° C. was added BCl₃ (2 mL, 1M in CH₂Cl₂). The reaction mixture wasstirred at −78° C. for 1 hour. The reaction was quenched at −78° C. bydropwise addition of TEA (2 mL) and MeOH (5 mL). The mixture was allowedto warm up to room temperature, evaporated, and co-evaporated with MeOHseveral times. The residue was treated with NaHCO₃ (1 g in 10 mL H₂O),concentrated and purified by HPLC to give the desired product compound409 (48 mg, 60%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): δ 7.74 (s 1H), 6.76 (d, J=5 Hz,1H), 6.73 (d, J=5 Hz, 1H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.9 (m, 1H), 3.8 (m, 2H), 0.84(s, 3H). MS=305.9 (M+H⁺). The other alpha-anomer was also obtained (9mg, 11%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): δ7.70 (s 1H), 6.8 (d, J=5 Hz, 1H), 6.7(d, J=5 Hz, 1H), 4.25 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 4.07 (m, 1H), 3.85 (m, 1H), 3.7(m, 1H), 1.6 (s, 3H). MS=306.1 (M+H⁺).

i. Preparation of Compound 412.

Compound 410 (commercially available, 4.99 g, 23.8 mmol) was dissolvedin dichloromethane (100 mL) and alanine isopropyl ester hydrochloride411 (3.98 g, 23.8 mmol) was added. The resulting clear solution wascooled −78° C. for 30 min. Triethylamine (6.63 mL, 47.5 mmol) was addeddropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture was then allowed to warm to roomtemperature. After 16 hours, the solvent was removed by argon stream.The residue was re-dissolved in MTBE (25 mL) and the insoluble wasremoved by filtration under argon. The filtrate was condensed by argonstream and the crude product 412 was used for the next reaction withoutfurther purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.1-7.4 (m, 5H), 5.1 (m,1H), 4.35 (m, 1H), 4.15 (m, 1H), 1.5 (d, 3H), 1.2 (m, 6H). ³¹P NMR(121.4 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.8 and 8.4 (2s).

j. Preparation of Compound 413.

To a solution of compound 409 (1.03 g, 3.37 mmol) in trimethyl phosphate(2.0 mL) and THF (20 mL) was added N-methyl imidazole (1.5 g, 18.3 mmol)at 0° C. A solution of compound 412 (2.5 g, 8.18 mmol) in THE (3 mL) wasdropwise added. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature over 1.5 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethylacetate and water. The ethyl acetate layer was concentrated and theresidue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate to 10%ethanol/ethyl acetate), affording 1.15 g (59%) of compound 413 as 1:1diastereomeric mixture at phosphorous. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.02(s, 1H), 7.1-7.4 (m, 5H), 6.8 (2d, 1H), 6.7 (2d, 1H), 6.08 (brs, 2H),5.03 (m, 1H), 4.6 (m, 1H), 4.4 (m, 2H), 3.9-4.1 (m, 3H), 1.31 (d, 3H),1.2 (m, 6H), 0.83 (s, 3H). ³¹P NMR (121.4 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.78 (s).MS=575.1 (M+H⁺).

k. Preparation of Compound 414.

To a solution of compound 413 (175 mg, 0.305 mmol) in acetonitrile (2mL) was added N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (41 μL, 0.34 mmol,1.1 eq.) and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction wascomplete (by LCMS). The mixture was then concentrated to dryness. To theresidue were added DCC (250 mg, 1.21 mmol, 4 eq.), acetonitrile (5 mL)and isobutyric acid (55 mg, 58 μL, 2 eq.). The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 48 hours. Water (0.2 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid(0.1 mL) were added at 0° C. and stirred at room temperature for 64hours. Sodium bicarbonate (500 mg) was added at 0° C. The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated and the residue was purified by silica gel columnchromatography (5% methanol/dichloromethane), affording 144 mg (73%) ofcompound 414 as 1:1 diastereomeric mixture at phosphorus. ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.1-7.4 (m, 5H), 6.83 (d, 1H), 6.71 (2d,1H), 5.97 (brs, 2H), 5.94 (d, 1H), 5.07 (2d, 1H), 5.01 (m, 1H), 4.68 (m,1H), 4.4 (m, 2H), 4.0 (m, 2H), 2.74 (m, 1H), 1.4 (2d, 3H), 1.2-1.3(12H), 0.98 and 0.99 (2s, 3H). ³¹P NMR (121.4 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.56 and2.65 (2s). MS=645.1 (M+H⁺).

Compound 5 can be prepared as described in the following Example.

Example 5 Preparation of 5:5-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)-3-[(cis-4-hydroxy-4-{[(3S)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy]methyl}cyclohexyl){[(1R)-4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]carbonyl}amino]thiophene-2-carboxylicacid 5

5-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-3-[((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-(1-oxa-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 508 (132 mg, 0.28 mmol) and (S)-tetrahydro-furan-3-ol509 (247 mg, 2.8 mmol) in 1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-one (3 mL) were treatedwith potassium tert-butoxide (251 mg, 2.24 mmol), sealed at heated to40° C. for 16 hours. After cooling the mixture was treated with 2 M HCluntil pH 3, partitioned between ethyl acetate and water and separated.The organic layer was washed with 5% lithium chloride solution, water,brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and concentrationthe residue was purified by HPLC with CH₃CN (0.1% TFA)/H₂O (0.1% TFA) toafford 107 mg (70% yield) of compound 5 as a white powder: MS (m/z):544.0 [M+H]+; HPLC retention time 4.22 min (2-98% acetonitrile: waterwith 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid).

The intermediate compound 508 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 502.

(S)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (2.60 g, 20 mmol) anddiisopropylethylamine (5.2 mL, 30 mmol) in dichloromethane (25 mL) wascooled to −10° C. and treated dropwise with acryloyl chloride (2.03 mL,25 mmol) and stirred for 2 h. 1M HCl (20 mL) was added and the organiclayer was washed with sodium bicarbonate and water. The organic layerwas dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Flashchromatography (10-40% EtOAc, hexanes) afforded 2.09 g (57% yield) ofthe desired (S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-ylacrylate 501 as aclear oil.

(S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-ylacrylate 501 (2.05 g, 11.1mmol) in dichloromethane (17.5 mL) and hexanes (2.5 mL) was cooled to−10° C. and treated with titanium tetrachloride (2.2 mL, 1 M indichloromethane, 2.2 mmol). The yellow solution was stirred for 15minutes and treated with isoprene (1.67 mL, 16.7 mmol) dropwise over 5minutes. After stirring for 2 hours, an additional portion of isoprene(1.67 mL, 16.7 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at−10 to 0° C. for 3.5 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched withammonium chloride (sat. aq.). Water and ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:1) wereadded. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer wasextracted again with ethyl acetate:hexanes (1:1). The combined organiclayers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Theresidue was purified by flash chromatography (10-50% EtOAc:Hex, 80 gcolumn) to afford 1.30 g (46% yield) of(R)—((S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylate 502 as a clear oil.

b. Preparation of Compound 503.

(R)—((S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylate 502 (1.30 g, 5.15 mmol) in THF (10mL), water (1 mL) and methanol (1 mL) was treated with lithium hydroxidemonohydrate (2.16 g, 51.5 mmol) and warmed to 50° C. with stirring.After 1 hour, the reaction mixture treated with 1M HCl. The mixture wasextracted with hexanes:THF (10:1), dried over sodium sulfate, filteredand concentrated to 0.738 g (quantitative yield) of(R)-4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylic acid 503 as a white powder.

c. Preparation of Compound 504.

(R)-4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylic acid 503 (371 mg, 2.65 mmol),azeotropically dried by evaporation from toluene, was treated withpotassium phosphate tribasic (1.13 g, 7.94 mmol), suspended indichloromethane (7.6 mL) and treated with dimethylformamide (4 drops).The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated dropwise withoxalyl chloride (0.75 mL, 7.9 mmol). The reaction mixture was allowed towarm to ambient temperature while stirring for 2 hours. After filteringthe solids, the solution was concentrated, treated with hexanes andconcentrated again to afford (R)-4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarbonyl chloride504 as a light yellow oil which was used immediately in the next step.

d. Preparation of Compound 506.

(R)-4-methylcyclohex-3-enecarbonyl chloride 504 (2.65 mmol),5-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-3-(1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylamino)-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 505 (250 mg, 0.66 mmol) and potassium phosphatetribasic (562 mg, 2.65 mmol) were suspended in dichloroethane (1.7 mL),sealed with a cap and heated to 90° C. After 16 hours, the reactionmixture was cooled and partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. Theorganic layer was separated and the aqueous extracted again with ethylacetate. The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate,filtered and concentrated. Flash chromatography (10-40% EtOAc:Hexanes)afforded 220 mg (67% yield) of the desired5-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-3-[(1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 506 as a beige foam.

e. Preparation of Compound 507.

5-(3,3-Dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-3-[(1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 506 (219 mg, 0.438 mmol) was dissolved in THF (3.5 mL)and treated with 4M HCl (1.75 mL, 7.01 mmol). The reaction mixture washeated to 45° C. and stirred 2 h. Ethyl acetate was added and theorganic layer was separated then washed with water, sodium bicarbonate(sat aq), water, and brine. The organic layer was dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered and concentrated to 0.190 g (95% yield) of the desired5-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyI)-3-[((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 507 as a white foam.

f. Preparation of Compound 508.

Trimethylsulfoxonium chloride (79 mg, 0.62 mmol) in DMSO (1.5 mL) wastreated with sodium hydride (21 mg, 60% oil dispersion, 0.53 mmol) andstirred at ambient temperature for 10 min.5-(3,3-Dimethyl-but-1-ynyl)-3-[((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 507 in THE (1 mL+0.5 mL) was added dropwise and thereaction mixture was stirred for 45 min. The orange solution was treatedwith 5% citric acid until pH 3 and partitioned between water and ethylacetate. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous was extractedagain with ethyl acetate. The combined organics were washed with 5%LiCl, water and brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtrationand concentration, the residue was purified by flash chromatography(20-75% EtOAc:hexanes) to afford 0.134 g (70% yield) of5-(3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyI)-3-[((1R)-4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enecarbonyl)-(1-oxa-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-amino]-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 508 as a white powder.

Compound 6 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/779,023 (US 20100310512 A1).Compound 6 can also be prepared as described in the following Example.

Example 6 Preparation of(1-{3-[6-(9,9-Difluoro-7-{2-[5-(2-methoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyryl)-5-aza-spiro[2.4]hept-6-yl]-3H-imidazol-4-yl}-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carbonyl}-2-methyl-propyl)-carbamicacid methyl ester 6

3-[6-(9,9-Difluoro-7-{2-[5-(2-methoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyryl)-5-aza-spiro[2.4]hept-6-yl]-3H-imidazol-4-yl}-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 614 (115 mg, 0.138 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (2mL) and HCl in dioxane (4M, 2 mL) was added and stirring at roomtemperature was continued. After 20 minutes, all volatiles were removedin vacuo. The crude material was used in the next step without furtherpurification. The crude material was dissolved in DMF (1.5 mL) and DIEA(53.4 mg, 0.414 mmol) was added. A solution of 2-(L)Methoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyric acid 611 (24.2 mg, 0.138 mmol),HATU (52.4 mg, 0.138 mmol) and DIEA (17.8 mg, 0.138 mmol) in DMF (1 mL)was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature. After 20minutes, the reaction was diluted with EtOAc and was washed with aqueousbicarbonate solution, aqueous LiCl solution (5%), brine, and was driedover sodium sulfate. Filtration and removal of solvents in vacuo gavethe crude material, which was purified by RP-HPLC (eluent: water/MeCNw/0.1% TFA) to yield compound 6 (76 mg). LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd forC₄₉H₅₄F₂N₈O₆: 888.9 (M⁺). Found: 890.0 (M+H⁺). ¹H-NMR: 300 MHz,(dmso-d₆) δ: 8.20-7.99 (m, 8H), 7.73 (s, 2H), 7.37-7.27 (m, 2H), 5.25(dd, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.78 (s, 1H) 4.54 (s, 1H), 4.16 (m, 1H), 4.02 (m,1H), 3.87 (m, 1H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.55 (s, 3H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 2.75 (m,1H), 2.25 (m, 2H), 2.09-2.04 (m, 2H), 1.88-1.79 (m, 2H), 1.54 (m, 1H),0.94-0.77 (m, 15H) 0.63 (m, 4H) ppm. ¹⁹F-NMR: 282 MHz, (dmso-d₆) δ:−109.1 ppm [−74.8 ppm TFA].

The intermediate compound 614 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of compound 4-Methylene-pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid1-benzyl ester 2-methyl ester 602

4-Methylene-pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid 1-tert-butyl ester 601(10.0 g, 44 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (75 mL) at room temperature andHCl (4M in dioxane, 75 mL) was added. Stirring at room temperature wascontinued for 4 hours. All volatiles were removed in vacuo and a beigesolid was obtained. The crude material was suspended in DCM (100 mL) andN-Methyl morpholine (13.3 g, 132 mmol) was added. The mixture was cooledto 0° C. and benzyl chloroformate (8.26 g, 48.4 mmol) was added whilestirring. After 30 minutes, the reaction was warmed to room temperatureand the solution was washed with water and aqueous HCl (1M). Thesolution was dried over sodium sulfate. Filtration and evaporation ofsolvents gave crude product, which was purified by silica gelchromatography (eluent: EtOAc/hexanes) to yield compound 602 (10.2 g).LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd for C₁₅H₁₇NO₄: 275.3 (M⁺). Found: 276.4 (M+H⁺).

b. Preparation of a Mixture of Compounds 603 and 604

An oven-dried 3-neck round bottom flask was equipped with a nitrogeninlet adaptor and a 250 mL addition funnel. The third neck was sealedwith a septum. The flask was charged with a stir bar, dichloromethane(120 mL) and diethyl zinc (1.0 M in hexane, 118 mL, 118 mmol) thencooled to 0° C. in an ice bath. The addition funned was charged withdichloromethane (40 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (9.1 mL, 118 mmol).After the diethyl zinc solution had cooled to 0° C. (about 25 minutes),the trifluoroacetic acid solution was added dropwise over 20 min to thestirred reaction mixture. After stirring for another 20 min at 0° C.,diiodomethane (9.5 mL, 118 mmol) was added slowly over 4 minutes. Afteranother 20 min, 4-methylene-pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid 1-benzylester 2-methyl ester 602 (8.10 g, 29.4 mmol) was added in 30 mLdichloromethane by cannula. The flask containing4-methylene-pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid 1-benzyl ester 2-methylester was then rinsed with another 10 mL dichloromethane and thissolution was also transferred to the reaction mixture by cannula. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to RT and stirred for 110 h (about5 days) after which the reagents were quenched with saturated aqueousammonium chloride (˜150 mL). The contents of the flask were slowlypoured into a 2 L sep funnel containing saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate (800 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted three times with300 mL ethyl acetate. The combined organics were dried over magnesiumsulfate and concentrated to provide a mixture of Compounds 603 and 604.

c. Preparation of a Compound 603.

The crude material from sub-part b was dissolved in 3:1:1THF/water/acetone (165 mL) then treated with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide(3.45 g, 29.4 mmol) and osmium tetroxide (4 wt % in water, 5 mL, 0.818mmol). After stirring at RT for 7 h, the reagents were quenched with 1 Maqueous sodium thiosulfate (˜100 mL). The contents of the flask werethen poured into a 1 L sep funnel containing water (˜300 mL). Theaqueous phase was extracted three times with 300 mL dichloromethane. Thecombined organics were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated.The crude residue was purified by silica column chromatography (5% to45% EtOAc/hexane) to provide 5-aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5,6-dicarboxylicacid 5-benzyl ester 6-methyl ester 603 as a clear oil (5.54 g, 19.15mmol, 65%) as a clear oil. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.36-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.21-5.04(m, 2H), 4.56-4.47 (m, 1H), 3.75 (s, 1.5H), 3.60 (m, 1.5H), 03.51-3.37(m, 2H), 2.32-2.25 (m, 1H), 1.87-1.80 (m, 1H), 0.64-0.51 (m, 4H).

d. Preparation of 5-Aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5,6-dicarboxylic acid 5-benzylester 606

5-Aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5,6-dicarboxylic acid 5-benzyl ester 6-methylester 603 (244 mg, 0.840 mmol) was dissolved in THF (2.0 mL)/MeOH (1.5mL). An aqueous solution of LiOH (35.5 mg, 0.84 mmol) was added andstirring at room temperature was continued. After 3 hours, the reactionwas neutralized with aqueous HCl (1M) and the organic solvents wereremoved in vacuo. The crude mixture was diluted with water and EtOAc andthe organic layer was collected. All volatiles were removed in vacuo andthe crude acid 606 was used without further purification. LCMS-ESI⁺:calc'd for C₁₅H₁₇NO₄: 275.3 (M⁺). Found: 276.3 (M+H⁺).

e. Preparation of a 2,7-Dibromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluorene 608

2,7-Dibromo-fluoren-9-one 607 (4.0 g, 11.8 mmol) was suspended indeoxofluor (12 mL) at room temperature and EtOH (4 drops) was added. Thestirred suspension was heated at T=90° C. for 24 hours (CAUTION: Use ofdeoxofluor at elevated temperatures, as described above, is cautioned asrapid and violent exotherms may occur). The reaction was cooled to roomtemperature and poured onto ice containing sodium bicarbonate. A solidformed and was collected via filtration. The crude material was takeninto EtOAc and was washed with aqueous HCl (1M) and brine. The solutionwas dried over sodium sulfate. Filtration and evaporation of solventsgave crude product, which was purified by silica gel chromatography(eluent: EtOAc/hexanes) to yield 608 (3.2 g). ¹⁹F-NMR: 282 MHz,(dmso-d₆) δ: −111.6 ppm. Before using the material in the next step, itwas exposed as a solution in EtOAc to charcoal.

f. Preparation of 5-Aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5,6-dicarboxylic acid 5-benzylester 6-[2-(7-bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl] ester 609

2,7-Dibromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluorene 608 (372 mg, 1.04 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄(30.0 mg, 0.026 mmol), PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (18.2 mg, 0.026 mmol), As(PPh₃)₃(5.0 mg) were dissolved in dioxane (10 mL) under an argon atmosphere.Ethoxyvinyl-tributyl tin (376.4 mg, 1.04 mmol) was added. The mixturewas heated for 140 minutes at 85° C. (oil bath). The reaction was cooledto room temperature. N-bromo succinimide (177 mg, 1.0 mmol) was addedfollowed by water (2 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperaturefor 3 hours, after which the majority of the dioxane was removed invacuo. The crude reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and was washedwith water. All volatiles were removed in vacuo. Toluene was added andall volatiles were removed in vacuo for a second time. The crudematerial was dissolved in DMF/MeCN (2 mL, 1:1) at room temperature. Asolution of N-Cbz-4-cyclopropyl (L) proline 606 (0.84 mmol) and DIEA(268 mg, 2.08 mmol) in MeCN (2 mL) was added and stirring at roomtemperature was continued. After 14 hours, most of the MeCN was removedin vacuo and the crude reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc. Themixture was washed with aqueous HCl (1M), aqueous LiCl solution (5%),brine, and was dried over sodium sulfate. Filtration and evaporation ofsolvents gave the crude reaction product, which was purified via silicagel chromatography (eluent: EtOAc/hexanes) to yield compound 609 (176mg). LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd for C₃₀H₂₄BrF₂NO₅: 596.4 (M⁺). Found: 595.2/597.2(M+H⁺).

g. Preparation of6-[5-(7-Bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5-carboxylicacid benzyl ester 610

5-Aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5,6-dicarboxylic acid 5-benzyl ester6-[2-(7-bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl] ester 609 (172mg, 0.293 mmol) was dissolved in m-xylenes (6.0 mL). Ammonium acetate(226 mg, 2.93 mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred at 140° C.for 60 minutes under microwave conditions. The reaction was cooled toroom temperature and all volatiles were removed in vacuo. The crudematerial was purified via silica gel chromatography (eluent:EtOAc/hexanes) to yield compound 610 (80.3 mg). LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd forC₃₀H₂₄BrF₂N₃O₂: 576.4 (M⁺). Found: 575.2/577.2 (M+H⁺).

h. Preparation of(1-{6-[5-(7-Bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5-carbonyl}-2-methyl-propyl)-carbamicacid methyl ester 612

6-[5-(7-Bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5-carboxylicacid benzyl ester 610 (800 mg, 1.38 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (15 mL)and HBr in AcOH (37%, 2 mL) was added and stirring at room temperaturewas continued. After 180 minutes, the suspension was diluted withhexanes and the solid was collected via filtration and was washed withhexanes and subjected to vacuum. The crude material was used in the nextstep without further purification. The crude material was dissolved inDMF (4.0 mL) and DIEA (356 mg, 2.76 mmol) was added. A solution of2-(L)-Methoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyric acid 611 (242 mg, 1.38mmol), HATU (524 mg, 1.38 mmol) and DIEA (178 mg, 1.38 mmol) in DMF (1mL) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature. After 50minutes, the reaction was diluted with EtOAc and was washed with aqueousbicarbonate solution, aqueous LiCl solution (5%), brine, and was driedover sodium sulfate. Filtration and removal of solvents in vacuo gavethe crude material, which was purified by silica gel chromatography(eluent: EtOAc/hexanes) to yield the slightly impure compound 612 (878mg). LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd for C₂₉H₂₉BrF₂N₄O₃: 599.5 (M⁺). Found:598.5/600.5 (M+H⁺).

i. Preparation of3-[6-(9,9-Difluoro-7-{2-[5-(2-methoxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-butyryl)-5-aza-spiro[2.4]hept-6-yl]-3H-imidazol-4-yl}-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 614

(1-{6-[5-(7-Bromo-9,9-difluoro-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-aza-spiro[2.4]heptane-5-carbonyl}-2-methyl-propyl)-carbamicacid methyl ester 612 (840 mg, 1.4 mmol),3-[6-(4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl]-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 613 (615 mg, 1.4 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (161 mg, 0.14mmol), K₂CO₃ (579 mg, 4.2 mmol), were dissolved in DME (15 mL)/water (3mL) under an argon atmosphere. The mixture was heated for 120 minutes at85-90° C. (oil bath). After 120 minutes additional boronate ester (61mg, 0.14 mmol) was added and heating was continued. After 3 hours, thereaction was cooled to room temperature. Most of the DME was removed invacuo and the crude reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc. The mixturewas washed with brine and was dried over sodium sulfate. Filtration andevaporation of solvents gave the crude reaction product, which waspurified via silica gel chromatography (eluent: EtOAc/hexanes) to yieldcompound 614 (878 mg). LCMS-ESI: calc'd for C₄₇H₅₁F₂N₇O₅: 831.9 (M⁺).Found: 832.7 (M+H⁺).

The intermediate compound 613 can be prepared as follows

j. Preparation of3-(2-Amino-4-bromo-phenylcarbamoyl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 617

To a solution of 2-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid2-tert-butyl ester 616 (0.327 g, 1.36 mmol, 1 eq.),4-Bromo-benzene-1,2-diamine 615 (0.507 g, 2.71 mmol, 2 eq.) and4-methylmorpholine (0.299 mL, 2 eq.) in 10 mL DMF was added HATU (0.543g, 1.05 eq.). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1hour then concentrated. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethylacetate and washed with diluted NaHCO₃ aqueous solution and brine. Theorganic layer was concentrated down and purified by flash columnchromatography (silica gel, 20 to 80% ethyl acetate/hexane) to give amixture of regioisomer3-(2-Amino-4-bromo-phenylcarbamoyl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 617.

k. Preparation of3-(6-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 618

The above mixture of regioisomer3-(2-Amino-4-bromo-phenylcarbamoyl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 617 was dissolved in ethanol and heated to 130° C.in sealed tube overnight and continue heating at 170° C. for 3 days.LC-MS showed desired product and Boc cleaved product (about 1:1 ratio).The mixture was concentrated down and dissolved DCM. Di-tert-butyldicarbonate (0.6 eq.) was added and reaction was stirred overnight atroom temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated down andpurified by flash column chromatography (silica gel, 20 to 80% ethylacetate/hexane) to give3-(6-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 618 (0.383 g, 72%) as an orange foam.

l. Preparation of Compound 613

A mixture of3-(6-Bromo-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 618 (264 mg, 0.673 mmol), benzene-1,4-diboronicacid dipinocal ester (5 eq., 3.36 g, 6.95 mmol),tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (5%, 39 mg) and 2M potassiumcarbonate aqueous solution (3 eq., 1.01 mL) in 5 mL DME was heated to90° C. under Ar for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and dilutedin ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution.The organic layer dried (MgSO4), concentrated and purified by flashcolumn chromatography (silica gel, 20 to 60% ethyl acetate/hexane) togive3-{6-[4-(4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl}-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester 613 (295 mg, yield 85%). LCMS-ESI⁻: calc'd forC₃₀H₃₈BN₃O₄: 515.45. Found: 516.1 (M+H⁺).

Compound 7 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,572. Compound 7 can also beprepared as described in the following Example.

Example 7 Preparation of Compound 7

To an ice-cold suspension of compound 701 (970 g, 3.74 mol) and DMAP (50g, 0.412 mol) in THF (10 L) is added TEA (2.3 kg, 16.5 mol) and water (7L) which produces a clear solution. Isobutyryl chloride (3 equivalents)is added slowly to the stirred mixture while maintaining the temperatureat about 0° C. An additional 1.2 then 0.7 equivalents of isobutylchloride is added until the HPLC indicates the reaction had proceededessentially to completion (a total of about 1.95 kg). The reactionmixture is acidified with concentrated HCl to a pH of about 6.4 and theorganic phase is washed with EtOAc (2×10 L). The combined extracts arewashed with water (1×15 L). The organic phase is filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in IPA (ca. 20 kg) andheptane (14.2 kg) is added. The solution is heated to about 74-75° C. toproduce a clear solution, then about 5 L is removed by distillation. Theresulting solution is cooled slowly to RT. A precipitate is formed atabout 42-43° C. Cooling is continued slowly to 5° C. then stirredovernight. The resulting solid is filtered and the filtrate is washedwith IPA/heptane (1:8) mixture (13.4 kg), and dried under vacuum atabout 60-70° C. to afford 1.295 kg (86.65%) of compound 7 which is99.45% pure by HPLC.

The intermediate compound 706 can be prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 701.

To a suspension of cytidine (100 g, 0.411 mol) in DMF (2.06 L) is addedbenzoic anhydride (102.4 g, 0.452 mol). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 hours. The DMF was removed in vacuo and the residuewas triturated with diethyl ether. The resulting solid was collected bysuction filtration and washed with diethyl ether (2×200 mL). Furtherdrying in vacuo at room temperature gave the N⁴ benzamide (140.6 g,98.3%). A portion of this material (139.3 g, 0.401 mol) was dissolved inanhydrous pyridine (1.2 L) and was treated with1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyl-disiloxane (141.4 mL, 0.441 mol) atroom temperature. The solution was stirred at room temperatureovernight. The mixture was concentrated to near dryness in vacuo andcoevaporated with toluene (3×200 mL). The residue was treated with EtOAc(1.8 L) and washed with HCl (2×200 mL, 0.05 N), NaHCO₃ (5%, 2×400 mL).The organic layer was washed dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and evaporated todryness. Compound 701 (256.5 g, >100%) was isolated as a white foam andused without further purification.

b. Preparation of Compound 702.

Compound 701 (236.5 g, 0.40 mol) was dissolved in dry THF (1.22 L).Anhydrous DMSO (180.8 mL, 2.1 mol) was added and the resulting solutionwas cooled to between −20° C. and −15° C. Trifluoroacetic anhydride(90.6 mL, 0.64 mol) was added dropwise over 45 minutes and the solutionwas stirred between −20° C. and −15° C. for 2 hrs after which anhydroustriethylamine (223.5 mL, 1.6 mol) was added over 20 minutes. The crudereaction containing ketone 702 was dissolved in EtOAc (500 mL), and theresulting solution was washed with H₂O (3×400 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) andthe solvents were removed in vacuo to give a yellow solid that waspurified on a silica gel column eluting with a stepwise gradient of Et₂O(0-60%) in hexanes followed by a stepwise gradient of EtOAc (50-100%) inhexanes. The crude ketone so-obtained (˜192 g) was crystallized frompetroleum ether to give ketone 702 (138.91 g, 57.5% from cytidine) as awhite solid and 22 g of unreacted starting material, 701, as a yellowsolid.

c. Preparation of Compound 703.

Compound 702 (48.57 g, 8.26 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous toluene(˜400 mL) and the solvent was removed in vacuo with exclusion ofmoisture. The residue was then further dried in vacuo (oil pump) foranother 2 hours. With strict exclusion of moisture, the residual foamwas dissolved in anhydrous diethyl ether (1.03 L) under argon. Theresulting solution was cooled to −78° C. under argon and MeLi (1.6 M,258.0 mL, 0.413 mol) was added dropwise via additional funnel. After theaddition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at −78° C.Aqueous 1M NH₄Cl (500 mL) was added slowly. After warming to roomtemperature, the mixture was washed with H₂O (2×500 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄),and then concentrated to dryness to give a brown foam (˜60 g, >100%).

The reaction was performed two more times using 37.62 g and 56.4 g ofcompound 702. The combined crude products (128.0 g, 0.212 mol) weredissolved in THE (1.28 L) and treated with concd HOAc (23 mL, 0.402mol). To the solution was added TBAF (384.0 mL, 1 M in THF). Thesolution was stirred at room temperature for 0.75 hours and the mixturewas treated with silica gel (750 g) and concentrated to dryness. Thepowder was placed on a silica gel column packed in CH₂Cl₂. Elution with1:7 EtOH—CH₂Cl₂ afforded a dark waxy solid that was pre-adsorbed onsilica gel (300 g) and chromatographed as before. Compound 703 (46.4 g,53.0% from 702) was isolated as an off-white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ1.20 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.62-3.69 (m, 2H,), 3.73-3.78 (m, 2H,), 5.19 (t, 1H,J=5.4 Hz, OH-5′), 5.25 (s, 1H, OH-2′), 5.52 (d, 1H, J=5.0 Hz, OH-3′),5.99 (s, 1H, H-1′), 7.32 (d, 1H, J=5.8 Hz), 7.50 (ψt, 2H, J=7.7 Hz),7.62 (ψ, 1H, J=7.3 Hz), 8.00 (d, 2H, J=7.3 Hz), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz),11.22 (s, 1H, NH). Anal. Calcd for C₁₇H₁₉N₃O₆.0.5 H2O: C, 55.13; H,5.44; N, 11.35. Found: C, 55.21; H, 5.47; N, 11.33.

d. Preparation of Compound 704.

Compound 703 (46.0 g, 0.13 mol) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine andconcentrated to dryness in vacuo. The resulting syrup was dissolved inanhydrous pyridine under argon and cooled to 0° C. with stirring. Thebrown solution was treated with benzoyl chloride (30 mL, 0.250 mol)dropwise over 10 minutes. The ice bath was removed and stirringcontinued for 1.5 hours whereby TLC showed no remaining startingmaterial. The mixture was quenched by the addition of water (5 mL) andconcentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in a minimal amountof CH₂Cl₂ and washed with satd NaHCO₃ (1×500 mL) and H₂O (1×500 mL). Theorganic phase was dried (Na₂SO₄) and filtered, concentrated to drynessand chromatographed on silica gel eluting with a stepwise gradient ofEtOAc-hexanes (25-60%) to provide compound 704 as yellow foam (48.5 g,67%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.64 (s, 3H, CH₃), 4.50 (m, 1H, H-4), 4.78-4.85(m, 2H, H-5′,5a′), 5.50 (d, 1H, J=3.4 Hz, H-3′), 6.42 (s, 1H, H-1′),7.44-7.54 (m, 7H, Ar), 7.57-7.66 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.94 (d, 2H, J=7.8 Hz),8.05-8.09 (m, 4H, Ar), 8.21 (d, 1H, J=7.3 Hz). Anal. Calcd forC₃₁H₂₇NO₈: C, 65.37; H, 4.78; N, 7.38. Found: C, 65.59; H, 4.79; N,7.16.

e. Preparation of Compound 705.

Compound 704 (7.50 g, 0.013 mol) was dissolved in anhydrous toluene (150mL) under argon and cooled to −20° C. DAST (2.5 mL, 18.9 mmol) was addedslowly and the cooling bath was removed after the addition was complete.Stirring was continued for 1 hours and the mixture was poured into satdNaHCO₃ (100 mL) and washed until gas evolution ceased. The organic phasewas dried (Na2SO₄), concentrated, and purified by silica gelchromatography eluting with 1:1 EtOAc-hexanes. Yield was 1.22 g (16.3%)of pure 705 as a white solid. mp 241° C. (CH₂Cl₂-hexanes); ¹H NMR(CDCl₃)): δ 1.49 (d, 3H, J=22.4 Hz, CH₃), 4.64 (dd, 1H, J=3.44, 12.9 Hz,H-5′), 4.73 (d, 1H, J=9.5 Hz, H-4′), 4.90 (dd, 1H, J=2.4, 12.7 Hz,H-5a′), 5.56 (dd, 1H, J=8.6, 20.7 Hz, H-3′), 6.52 (d, 1H, J=18.0 Hz,H-1′), 7.47-7.57 (m, 7H, Ar), 7.62-7.71 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.89 (d, 2H, J=6.9Hz), 8.07-8.11 (m, 5H, Ar), 8.67 (bs, 1H, NH). ¹⁹F NMR (CDCl₃)): δ 3.3(m). Anal. Calcd for C₃₁H₂₆FN₃O₇.0.7 H₂0: C, 63.74; H, 4.72; N, 7.20.Found: C, 63.71; H, 4.54; N, 7.20.

f. Preparation of Compound 706.

Compound 705 (6.30 g, 0.011 mol) was suspended in methanolic ammonia (ca7 N, 150 mL) and stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent wasremoved in vacuo, co-evaporated with methanol (1×20 mL), andpre-adsorbed onto silica gel. The white powder was placed onto a silicagel column (packed in CHCl₃) and the column was eluted with 9% EtOH inCHCl₃), then 17% EtOH and finally 25% EtOH in CHCl₃). Concentration ofthe fractions containing the product, filtration through a 0.4 μm disk,and lyophilization from water afforded compound 706, 2.18 g (76%). ¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆;): δ 1.17 (d, 3H, J=22.3 Hz, CH₃), 3.63 (dd, 1H, J=2.7,13.7 Hz, H-5′), 3.70-3.84 (m, 3H, H-3′, H-4′, H-5a′), 5.24 (app s, 1H,OH-3′), 5.60 (d, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, H-5′), 5.74 (d, 1H, J=7.71 Hz, H-5), 6.07(d, 1H, J=18.9 Hz, H-1′), 7.31 (s, 1H, NH2), 7.42 (s, 1H, NH2), 7.90 (d,1H, J=7.3 Hz, H-6). ¹⁹F NMR (DMSO-d₆;): δ 2.60 (m). Anal. Calcd forC₁₀H₁₄FN₃O₄.1.4 H₂O: C, 44.22; H, 5.95; N, 14.77. Found: C, 42.24; H,5.63; N, 14.54. Compound 706 (0.10 g, 0.386 mmol) was converted to thehydrochloride salt by dissolving in water (2 mL) and adjusting the pH toapproximately 3.0 with 1 M HCl. The water was removed in vacuo and theresidue was crystallized from aqueous EtOH to give Compound 706 as thehydrochloride salt (71.0 mg). mp 243° C. (dec); ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆;): δ1.29 (d, 3H, J=22.6 Hz, CH₃), 3.65 (dd, 1H, J=2.3, 12.7 Hz, H-5′),3.76-3.90 (m, 3H, H-3′, H-4′, H-5a′), 5.96 (d, 1H, J=17.3 Hz, H-1′),6.15 (d, 1H, J=7.9 Hz, H-5), 8.33 (d, 1H, J=7.9 Hz, H-6), 8.69 (s, 1.5H,NH), 9.78 (s, 1.5H, NH). ¹⁹F NMR (DMSO-d₆;): δ 1.69 (m). Anal. Calcd forC₁₀H₁₄FN₃O₄.HCl: C, 40.62; H, 5.11; N, 14.21. Found: C, 40.80; H, 5.09;N, 14.23.

Compound 8 can be prepared using synthetic methods and intermediateslike those described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/632,194. Compound 8 can also beprepared as described in the following Example.

Example 8 Preparation of4-amino-2-n-butoxy-8-[3′-(pyrrolidin-1″-ylmethyl)-benzyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridin-6-one8. (R=n-butyl)

To a solution of nitro compound 807 (730 mg, 1.5 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL)was added a Raney Nickel (˜200 μL, slurry in H₂O). The reaction vesselwas flushed with H₂ and then stirred under an H₂ atmosphere for 1.5hours. The mixture was filtered through celite with CH₂Cl₂ and MeOH(1:1). The filtrate was concentrated under vacuum and left onlyophilizer overnight. The free base of compound 8 was obtained as awhite solid. To obtain the HCl salt of 8, a sample of the filtrate abovewas spiked with 1.0 M HCl to pH=1-2 and lyophilized. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300MHz): δ 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.50 (m, 3H), 4.96 (s, 2H), 4.44 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H),4.40 (s, 2H), 4.16 (s, 2H), 3.48 (m, 2H), 3.19 (m, 2H), 2.02-2.17 (m,4H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 1.45 (m, 2H), 0.94 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H)—[HCl salt].LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd for C₂₂H₃₁N₆O₂: 411.5 (M+H⁺). Found: 411.3 (M+H⁺).

The intermediate compound 807 was prepared as follows.

a. Preparation of Compound 802

To a solution of compound 801 (2.46 g, 10.2 mmol) in THF (34 mL) at −20°C. was added Et₃N (3.14 mL, 22.5 mmol) followed by a solution of NH₃(2.0 M in MeOH, 5.4 mL, 11 mmol). The mixture was stirred while warmingto 0° C. for 1.5 h (LC/MS indicated consumption of starting materials).The reaction mixture containing compound 802 was taken forward withoutwork-up.

b. Preparation of Compound 803

To a solution of 3-((1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)phenyl)methanamine 806 (1.95g, 10.2 mmol) in THF (34 mL) at 0° C. was added Et₃N (3.14 mmol, 22.5mmol) followed by methyl bromoacetate (1.04 mL, 22.3 mmol) dropwise. Thereaction mixture was stirred until LC/MS indicated consumption ofstarting materials, approximately 2 hours. The mixture containingcompound 803 was taken forward without work up.

c. Preparation of Compound 804

The reaction mixture containing compound 803 was added to the reactionmixture containing compound 802 at 0° C. The reaction mixture wasstirred until LC/MS indicated the consumption of compound 802,approximately 45 minutes. A saturated solution of NH₄Cl (50 mL) wasadded. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extractedwith EtOAc (2×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄,filtered, and concentrated under vacuum. Purification by silica gelchromatography provided 2.11 g of compound 804. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz):δ (ppm) 7.32-7.16 (m, 4H), 4.69 (s, 2H), 4.19 (q, J=7 Hz, 2H), 4.07 (s,2H), 3.60 (s, 2H), 2.49 (m, 4H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 1.78 (m, 4H), 1.23 (t,3H, J=7 Hz). LCMS-ESI⁺: calc'd for C₂₁H₂₉N₆O₄S: 461.2 (M+H⁺). Found:461.0 (M+H⁺).

d. Preparation ofEthyl-N_(α)-[4-amino-2-methanesulfonyl-5-nitropyrimidin-6-yl],N_(α)-[3′-(pyrrolidin-1″-ylmethyl)-benzyl]-glycinate805

To a solution a suspension of the sulfide 804 (3.68 g, 8.00 mmol) inEtOH (40 mL) at 0° C. was added sodium tungstate dihydrate (792 mg, 2.40mmol), acetic acid (4.6 mL, 80 mmol), and hydrogen peroxide (3.4 mL, ˜40mmol, 35% w/w in H₂O) sequentially. After 3 hours, additional aceticacid (4.6 mL) and hydrogen peroxide (3.4 mL) were added. The reactionwas maintained at 0° C. for 16 hours. A saturated solution of Na₂SO₃ (50mL) was added carefully while at 0° C. followed by CH₂Cl₂ (75 mL). Thelayers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂(4×50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered,and concentrated under vacuum to provide a material containing compound805 that was used without further purification.

e. Preparation of Compound 807 R=n-butyl

To a solution of sulfone 805 (1.0 g, 2.0 mmol) in n-butanol (10 mL) wasadded TFA (470 μL, 6.1 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 100° C. for 1hour. The reaction mixture was poured onto a saturated solution ofNaHCO₃ (20 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL). The layers were separated, and theaqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL). The combined organiclayers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated under vacuum.Purification was conducted by silica gel chromatography (1 gsubstrate/10 g SiO₂) (2-15% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) to provide compound 807.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Assay Protocol High Throughput Replicon Assay (HTBS)

Replicon cells harboring H77 (genotype 1a) or Con1 (genotype 1b) HCV RNAand Renilla luciferase reporter were seeded in 384-well black plates ata density of 1.6×103 cells per well in 90 μl of DMEM culture medium,excluding G-418. Compounds were serially diluted in 100% DMSO and addedto cells at a 1:225 dilution, achieving a final concentration of 0.44%DMSO in a total volume of 90 μL with a Biotek μFlow Workstation. Cellplates were incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO2 for 3 days, after whichculture media were removed and cells were assayed for luciferaseactivity as a marker for replication level. Luciferase expression wasmeasured using Dual-Glo luciferase assay reagents (Promega, Madison,Wis.). Briefly, 20 μL of Dual-Glo luciferase buffer was added to lysethe cells for 10 min and subsequently 20 μL of a diluted Dual-Glo Stop &Glo substrate (1:100) was added to each well. Luminescence signal wasmeasured on a Perkin Elmer Envision Plate Reader after incubation for 10minute. Luciferase levels were converted into percentages relative tothe untreated controls (defined as 100%) and data were fit to thelogistic dose response equation y=a/(1+(x/b)c) using XLFit4 software(IDBS, Emeryville, Calif.). EC₅₀ values were calculated from theresulting equations. Alternatively, antiviral activity may be analyzedby HCV NS3 Protease IC₅₀ Determination. HCV NS3 protease activity wasmonitored using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)depsipeptide substrate (RET S1, Anaspec, San Jose, Calif.) based on themethod of Taliani, Taliani M, Bianchi E, Narjes F, Fossatelli M, UrbaniA, Steinkuhler C, et al. A continuous assay of hepatitis C virusprotease based on resonance energy transfer depsipeptide substrates.Anal Biochem 1996; 240 (1):60-7, herein incorporated by reference withregard to performing such assay.

Briefly, 2-10 nM of purified NS3 protease domains were pre-incubated at37° C. for 10 minutes with 20 μM isogenic NS4A peptide cofactors (Sigma,St. Louis, Mo.), in 40% glycerol buffer with 50 mM HEPES pH 7.5 and 10mM DTT. Compounds were diluted serially 1:3 in DMSO, incubated with theenzyme/cofactor mixture for 10 minutes and reactions were started by theaddition of 2 μM RET S1 substrate (final concentration). Fluorescenceincrease was measured continuously over one hour using a Victor3 Vfluorescence plate reader (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, Mass.). Initialvelocities were calculated for each inhibitor concentration usingWorkout 1.5 software (DAZDAQ, East Sussex, UK) with the maximal slopealgorithm. Velocity data were converted into percentages relative to theuntreated control (defined as 100%) and non-linear regression wasperformed to calculate 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀ values).

NS3 Enzymatic Potency:

Purified NS3 protease is complexed with NS4A peptide and then incubatedwith serial dilutions of the compounds (DMSO used as solvent). Reactionsare started by addition of dual-labeled peptide substrate and theresulting kinetic increase in fluorescence is measured. Non-linearregression of velocity data is performed to calculate IC₅₀s. Activity isinitially tested against genotype 1b protease. Depending on the potencyobtained against genotype 1b, additional genotypes (1a, 2a, 3) and orprotease inhibitor resistant enzymes (D168Y, D168V, or A156T mutants)may be tested. BILN-2061 is used as a control during all assays.Compounds of the Examples were evaluated in this assay and were found tohave IC₅₀ values of less than about 1 μM.

Replicon Potency and Cytotoxicity:

Huh-luc cells (stably replicating Bartenschlager'sI389luc-ubi-neo/NS3-3′/ET genotype 1b replicon) is treated with serialdilutions of compound (DMSO is used as solvent) for 72 hours. Repliconcopy number is measured by bioluminescence and non-linear regression isperformed to calculate EC₅₀s. Parallel plates treated with the same drugdilutions are assayed for cytotoxicity using the Promega CellTiter-Glocell viability assay. Depending on the potency achieved against the 1breplicon, compounds may be tested against a genotype 1a replicon and/orinhibitor resistant replicons encoding D168Y or A156T mutations.BILN-2061 is used as a control during all assays. Compounds of theExamples were evaluated in this assay and were found to have EC₅₀ valuesof less than about 5 μM.

Effect of Serum Proteins on Replicon Potency

Replicon assays are conducted in normal cell culture medium (DMEM+10%FBS) supplemented with physiologic concentrations of human serum albumin(40 mg/mL) or α-acid glycoprotein (1 mg/mL). EC₅₀s in the presence ofhuman serum proteins are compared to the EC₅₀ in normal medium todetermine the fold shift in potency.

Enzymatic Selectivity:

The inhibition of mammalian proteases including Porcine PancreaticElastase, Human Leukocyte Elastase, Protease 3, and Cathepsin D aremeasured at K_(m) for the respective substrates for each enzyme. IC₅₀for each enzyme is compared to the IC₅₀ obtained with NS3 1b protease tocalculate selectivity.

MT-4 Cell Cytotoxicity:

MT4 cells are treated with serial dilutions of compounds for a five dayperiod. Cell viability is measured at the end of the treatment periodusing the Promega CellTiter-Glo assay and non-linear regression isperformed to calculate CC₅₀.

Compound Concentration Associated with Cells at EC:

Huh-luc cultures are incubated with compound at concentrations equal toEC₅₀. At multiple time points (0-72 hours), cells are washed 2× withcold medium and extracted with 85% acetonitrile; a sample of the mediaat each time-point is also extracted. Cell and media extracts areanalyzed by LC/MS/MS to determine the molar concentration of compoundsin each fraction

Solubility and Stability:

Solubility is determined by taking an aliquot of 10 mM DMSO stocksolution and preparing the compound at a final concentration of 100 μMin the test media solutions (PBS, pH 7.4 and 0.1 N HCl, pH 1.5) with atotal DMSO concentration of 1%. The test media solutions are incubatedat room temperature with shaking for 1 hr. The solutions are thencentrifuged and the recovered supernatants are assayed on the HPLC/UV.Solubility can be calculated by comparing the amount of compounddetected in the defined test solution compared to the amount detected inDMSO at the same concentration. The stability of compounds after 1 hourincubation in the test media at 37° C. is also determined.

Stability in Cryo-Preserved Human, Dog, and Rat Hepatocytes:

Each compound is incubated for up to 1 hour in hepatocyte suspensions(100 μl, 80,000 cells per well) at 37° C. Cryopreserved hepatocytes arereconstituted in the serum-free incubation medium. The suspension istransferred into 96-well plates (50 μL/well). The compounds are dilutedto 2 μM in incubation medium and then are added to hepatocytesuspensions to start the incubation. Samples are taken at 0, 10, 30 and60 minutes after the start of incubation and reaction can be quenchedwith a mixture consisting of 0.3% formic acid in 90% acetonitrile/10%water. The concentration of the compound in each sample is analyzedusing LC/MS/MS. The disappearance half-life of the compound inhepatocyte suspension is determined by fitting the concentration-timedata with a monophasic exponential equation. The data is also scaled upto represent intrinsic hepatic clearance and/or total hepatic clearance.

Stability in Hepatic S9 Fraction from Human, Dog, and Rat:

Each compound is incubated for up to 1 hour in S9 suspension (500 μl, 3mg protein/mL) at 37° C. (n=3). The compounds are added to the S9suspension to start the incubation. Samples are taken at 0, 10, 30, and60 minutes after the start of incubation. The concentration of thecompound in each sample is analyzed using LC/MS/MS. The disappearancehalf-life of the compound in S9 suspension is determined by fitting theconcentration-time data with a monophasic exponential equation.

Caco-2 Permeability:

Both forward (A-to-B) and reverse (B-to-A) permeability is measured.Caco-2 monolayers are grown to confluence on collagen-coated,microporous, polycarbonate membranes in 12-well Costar Transwell®plates. The compounds are dosed on the apical side for forwardpermeability (A-to-B), and are dosed on the basolateral side for reversepermeability (B-to-A). The cells are incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ ina humidified incubator. At the beginning of incubation, at 1 hr and 2 hrafter incubation, a 200-μL aliquot is taken from the receiver chamberand replaced with fresh assay buffer. The concentration of the compoundin each sample is determined with LC/MS/MS. The apparent permeability,Papp, is calculated. Plasma Protein Binding: Plasma protein binding ismeasured by equilibrium dialysis. Each compound is spiked into blankplasma at a final concentration of 2 μM. The spiked plasma and phosphatebuffer is placed into opposite sides of the assembled dialysis cells,which is then rotated slowly in a 37° C. water bath. At the end of theincubation, the concentration of the compound in plasma and phosphatebuffer is determined. The percent unbound is calculated using thefollowing equation:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Unbound}} = {100 \cdot \left( \frac{C_{f}}{C_{b} + C_{f}} \right)}$

Where C_(f) and C_(b) are free and bound concentrations determined asthe post-dialysis buffer and plasma concentrations, respectively.

CYP450 Profiling:

Each compound is incubated with each of 5 recombinant human CYP450enzymes, including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 in thepresence and absence of NADPH. Serial samples can be taken from theincubation mixture at the beginning of the incubation and at 5, 15, 30,45 and 60 min after the start of the incubation. The concentration ofthe compound in the incubation mixture is determined by LC/MS/MS. Thepercentage of the compound remaining after incubation at each time pointis calculated by comparing with the sampling at the start of incubation.

Stability in Rat, Dog, Monkey and Human Plasma:

Compounds are incubated for up to 2 hour in plasma (rat, dog, monkey, orhuman) at 37° C. Compounds are added to the plasma at finalconcentrations of 1 and 10 μg/mL. Aliquots are taken at 0, 5, 15, 30,60, and 120 min after adding the compound. Concentration of compoundsand major metabolites at each timepoint are measured by LC/MS/MS.Biological data (antiviral potency [EC₅₀] was determined using a Renillaluciferase (RLuc)-based HCV replicon reporter assay—HCV 1b RLuc) forCompound 6 is 0.0045 nM.

Biological Example 1 Anti-HCV Activity of the Combination of Compound 1and Compound 2 Materials and Methods

Compound 1 and Compound 2 were synthesized by Gilead Sciences (FosterCity, Calif.).

Cell Lines

HCV genotype 1b replicon cells (Huh-luc) were obtained from Reblikon(Mainz, Germany). The replicon in these cells is designatedI389luc-ubi-neo/NS3-3′/ET and encodes a selectable resistance marker(neomycin phosphotransferase) as well as the firefly luciferase reportergene. Huh-luc cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle'sMedium (DMEM; GIBCO, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetalbovine serum (FBS; Hyclone, Logan, Utah) and 0.5 mg/mL of G-418 (GIBCO).Cells were passaged twice a week and maintained at subconfluent levels.

EC₅₀ Determinations

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 5×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL of DMEM culture medium, excluding G-418. Compounds 1and 2 were serially diluted 1:3 in 100% DMSO (Sigma). These serialdilutions were added to the cells at a 1:200 dilution to achieve a finalconcentration of 0.5% DMSO in a total volume of 200 μL. Plates wereincubated at 37° C. for 3 days, after which culture media were removedand cells were lysed and assayed for luciferase activity using acommercial luciferase assay (Promega, Madison, Wis.). HCV replicationlevels in drug-treated samples were expressed as a percentage of thosein untreated controls (defined as 100%), and data were fit to thelogistic dose response equation y=a/(1+(x/b)c) using XLFit4 software(IDBS, Emeryville, Calif.). EC₅₀ values were calculated from theresulting equations as described previously (Delaney, W. E., et al.,Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy, 45(6):1705-1713 (2001)).

Antiviral Combination Studies

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 5×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL of culture medium. Compounds 1 and 2 were seriallydiluted in 100% DMSO as described above and added in a matrix format to96-well plates, achieving a defined set of different drug concentrationsand ratios in a final volume of 200 μL and a final DMSO concentration of0.5%. For each individual drug, the EC₅₀ value was selected as themidpoint for the concentration range tested. Cells were incubated forthree days and analyzed for luciferase expression as indicated above.For the combination study, two independent experiments were performed intriplicate.

Combination Data Analysis

Data were analyzed using the MacSynergy II program developed by Prichardand Shipman (Prichard M N, Aseltine K R, Shipman C, Jr., MacSynergy™ II,Version 1.0. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., 1993; Prichard M.N., Shipman C., Jr., Antiviral Res 14 (4-5):181-205 (1990); Prichard M.N., Shipman C, Jr., Antivir Ther 1 (1):9-20 (1996); Prichard M. N., etal., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 37 (3):540-5 (1993). The softwarecalculates theoretical inhibition assuming an additive interactionbetween drugs (based on the Bliss Independence model) and quantifiesstatistically significant differences between the theoretical andobserved inhibition values. Plotting these differences in threedimensions results in a surface where elevations in the Z-planerepresent antiviral synergy and depressions represent antiviralantagonism between compounds. The calculated volumes of surfacedeviations are expressed in nM²%. Per Prichard and Shipman, combinationeffects are defined as:

-   -   Highly synergistic if volumes >100 nM².    -   Slightly synergistic if volumes are >50 and ≦100 nM².    -   Additive if volumes are >−50 nM² and ≦50 nM².    -   Slightly antagonistic if volumes are >−100 nM² and ≦−50 nM².    -   Antagonistic if volumes are ≦−100 nM².

Results

Prior to initiating combination experiments, EC₅₀ values in Huh-lucreplicon cells were determined for Compound 1 and Compound 2 and resultsare shown in Table II. Both compounds had an antiviral effect.

TABLE II Individual EC₅₀s for Anti-HCV Compounds 1 and 2 in Huh-lucReplicon Cells Compound EC₅₀ (nM)^(a) Compound 1  3 ± 2 Compound 2 11 ±3 ^(a)EC₅₀ indicates average ± standard deviation for two or moreindependent experiments.

The antiviral effect of the combination of Compound 1 and Compound 2 wasmeasured, and the resulting data were analyzed using MacSynergy II,which provides surface plots displaying significant deviations fromadditivity. Quantification of statistically significant deviations fromadditivity indicated that the combination of Compounds 1 and 2 hadsynergy/antagonism volumes between −50 nM² and 50 nM² indicatingadditive antiviral effects as shown in Table III.

TABLE III Quantification of Antiviral Synergy and Antagonism and DrugInteractions for Combination of Compound 1 and Compound 2 Drug(s) Usedin Synergy Antagonism Combination Volume Volume with Compound 2(nM²)^(a) (nM²)^(a) Interaction Compound 1 13.5 ± 10.5 0.07 ± 0.07Additive ^(a)Values represent the mean ± standard deviation of twoindependent experiments performed in triplicate

The results of the in vitro experiments set forth in Table III indicatethat Compound 2 has additive antiviral activity when combined withCompound 1.

Biological Example 2 Combinations with Compound 3 Materials and MethodsAntiviral Compounds

Compound 1 and Compound 3 were synthesized by Gilead Sciences (FosterCity, Calif.). Ribavirin and IFN-α were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis,Mo.).

Cell Lines

HCV genotype 1b replicon cells (Huh-luc) were obtained from Reblikon(Mainz, Germany). The replicon in these cells is designatedI389luc-ubi-neo/NS3-3′/ET and encodes a selectable resistance marker(neomycin phosphotransferase) as well as the firefly luciferase reportergene. Huh-luc cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium(D-MEM) with GlutaMAX™ (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with10% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Hyclone, Logan, Utah) and 0.5 mg/mL ofG-418 (Invitrogen). Cells were passaged twice a week and maintained atsubconfluent levels.

EC₅₀ Determinations

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 5×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL of DMEM plus 10% FBS culture medium, excluding G-418.Compounds were serially diluted 1:3 in 100% DMSO (Sigma). These serialdilutions were added to the cells at a 1:200 dilution to achieve a finalconcentration of 0.5% DMSO in a total volume of 200 μL. Plates wereincubated at 37° C. for 3 days, after which culture media were removedand cells were lysed and assayed for luciferase activity using acommercial luciferase assay (Promega, Madison, Wis.). HCV replicationlevels in drug-treated samples were expressed as a percentage of thosein untreated controls (defined as 100%), and data were fit to thelogistic dose response equation y=a/(1+(x/b)^(c)) using XLFit4 software(IDBS, Emeryville, Calif.). EC₅₀ values were calculated from theresulting equations as described previously.

Antiviral Combination Studies

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 5×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL of culture medium, excluding G-418. Compound 3 andother compounds were serially diluted in 100% DMSO as described aboveand added in a matrix format to 96-well plates, achieving a defined setof different drug concentrations and ratios in a final volume of 200 μLand a final DMSO concentration of 0.5%. For each individual drug (withthe exception of Ribavirin), the EC₅₀ value was selected as the midpointfor the concentration range tested. For Ribavirin, which did not have aselective antiviral effect, a top dose of 6.2 μM was selected since thiswas approximately 3-fold below the concentration at which cytotoxicitystarted to be observed. Cells were incubated with drugs for three daysand analyzed for luciferase expression as indicated above. For eachcombination study, two independent experiments were performed intriplicate.

Combination Data Analysis

Data were analyzed using the MacSynergy II program developed by Prichardand Shipman. The software calculates theoretical inhibition assuming anadditive interaction between drugs (based on the Bliss Independencemodel) and quantifies statistically significant differences between thetheoretical and observed inhibition values. Plotting these differencesin three dimensions results in a surface where elevations in the Z-planerepresent antiviral synergy and depressions represent antiviralantagonism between compounds. The calculated volumes of surfacedeviations are expressed in nM²%. Per Prichard and Shipman, combinationeffects are defined as follows:

-   -   Strong synergy if volumes >100 nM²; this amount of synergy is        probably important in vivo    -   Moderate synergy if volumes are >50 and ≦100 nM²; this amount of        synergy may be important in vivo    -   Minor synergy if volumes are >25 and <50 nM²    -   Additivity if volumes are >−25 nM² and ≦25 nM²    -   Minor antagonism if volumes are <−25 and >−50 nM²    -   Moderate antagonism if volumes are >−100 nM² and ≦−50 nM²; this        amount of antagonism may be important in vivo    -   Strong antagonism if volumes are ≦−100 nM²; this amount of        antagonism is probably important in vivo

Results EC_(K) Values for Individual Compounds in Huh-Luc RepliconCells.

Prior to initiating combination experiments, EC₅₀ values in Huh-lucreplicon cells were determined for each compound as shown in Table IV.All compounds had an antiviral effect with the exception of Ribavirin,which had no antiviral activity up to concentrations which werebeginning to show cytotoxicity.

TABLE IV Individual EC₅₀s for Anti-HCV Compounds in Huh-luc RepliconCells Compound EC₅₀ (nM)^(a) Compound 3 2.3 ± 2.6     IFN-α 0.105 ± .003(U/mL)^(b) Ribavirin >12,500 Compound 1 0.4 ± 0.14      ^(a)EC₅₀indicates average ± standard deviation for two or more independentexperiments. ^(b)INF-α EC₅₀ is expressed in Units (U) per milliliter(mL) instead of a nanomolar concentration.

Combination Antiviral Effects and Drug Interactions

The antiviral effects of Compound 3 when combined with IFN-α, Ribavirin,and Compound 1 were assayed. The resulting data were analyzed usingMacSynergy II, which provides surface plots displaying significantdeviations from additivity. Quantification of statistically significantdeviations from additivity indicated that combinations of Compound 3with IFN-α resulted in minor synergy (synergy volumes of 32 and 36.5nM², respectively; Table V). The combination of Compound 3 with thenon-nucleoside NS5B inhibitor Compound 1 yielded an synergy volume of14.5 nM² which indicates an additive antiviral interaction. None of thecompounds yielded antiviral antagonism volumes outside of the additiverange (>−25 nM²) when combined with Compound 3 as shown in Table V.

TABLE V Quantification of Antiviral Synergy and Antagonism and DrugInteractions for Drug Combinations with Compound 3 Drug(s) Used inSynergy Antagonism Combination Volume Volume with Compound 3 (nM²)^(a)(nM²)^(a) Interaction IFN-α 32 ± 4.2 0.15 ± 0.2 Minor synergy Ribavirin 54 ± 14.1  1.6 ± 2.3 Moderate synergy Compound 1 14.5 ± 0.7  4.22 ± 5.0Additive ^(a)Values represent the mean ± standard deviation of twoindependent experiments performed in triplicate

These in vitro antiviral combination experiments indicate that the novelHCV NS3 protease inhibitor Compound 3 has minor synergy when combinedwith IFN-α and moderate synergy when combined with Ribavirin. Theseresults suggest that Compound 3 could potentially be used in combinationwith the current standard of care (PEG-IFN-α plus ribavirin) in HCVpatients to achieve enhanced viral load suppression without reducing theefficacy of any of the individual drugs. Combinations of Compound 3 withnon-nucleoside (Compound 1) NS5B polymerase inhibitors resulted inadditivity. These results indicate that Compound 3 may also be suitablefor exploring drug combinations comprised of multiple classes ofspecific HCV inhibitors in patients.

Biological Example 3 Compound 4 Combinations Materials and MethodsAnti-HCV Agents

Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, and Compound6 were synthesized by Gilead Sciences (Foster City, Calif.). Puromycin,IFN-α and Ribavirin were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.). CalceinAM was purchased from Anaspec (Fremont, Calif.).

Cell Line and Cell Culture

The HCV genotype 1a replicon cell line used in this study was describedpreviously. The cells were grown in cell culture medium containingDulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) with GlutaMAX (Gibco, Carlsbad,Calif., Cat#10569-044), supplemented with 10% FBS (HyClone, Logan, Utah,Cat#SH30071.03), 100 Units/mL Penicillin, 100 μg/mL Streptomycin (Gibco,Carlsbad, Calif., Cat#15140-122), and 0.1 mM non-essential amino acids(Gibco, Carlsbad, Calif., Cat#11140-050). Replicon cells were maintainedin 0.5 mg/mL Geneticin (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., Cat#10131-035) toprevent the loss of HCV replicon. The cells were passaged every 3-4 daysbefore reaching confluency.

HCV Replicon Assay for EC₅₀, CC₅₀ Determinations and Combination Studies

All compounds were supplied in 100% DMSO except for IFN-α, which wassupplied in buffer specified by the manufacture (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.,Cat#I4276). Compound serial dilutions were performed in 100% DMSO exceptfor IFN-α, which was serially diluted in cell culture medium describedin section 3.2. All serial dilutions were performed in 384-wellpolypropylene plates (Thermo Scientific, Hudson, N.H., Cat#4341) using aBiomek FX Workstation. For EC₅₀ and CC₅₀ determinations, test compoundswere serially diluted in ten steps of 1:3 dilutions in columns 3-20 ofthe 384-well plates. For combinational studies, one compound wasserially diluted in nine steps of 1:2 dilutions toward the horizontaldirection with the other compound serially diluted in seven steps of 1:2dilutions toward the vertical direction. This achieved a defined set ofdifferent drug concentrations and ratios. For each individual drug, theEC₅₀ value was selected as the midpoint for the concentration rangetested. All serial dilutions were performed in four replicates percompound within the same 384-well plate. 100% DMSO was added into column1-2 of each serial dilution 384-well plate. A HCV protease inhibitorITMN-191 at 100 μM was added into column 23 as a control of 100%inhibition of HCV replication while puromycin at 10 mM was added intocolumn 24 as a control of 100% cytotoxicity.

To each well of a black polystyrene 384-well plate (Greiner Bio-one,Monroe, N.C., Cat#781086, cell culture treated), 90 μL of cell culturemedium (without geneticin) containing 2000 suspended HCV replicon cellswas added with a Biotek μFlow Workstation. For compound transfer intocell culture plates, 0.4 μL of compound solution from the compoundserial dilution plate was transferred to the cell culture plate on aBiomek FX Workstation. The DMSO concentration in the final assay wellswas 0.44%. The plates were incubated for 3 days at 37° C. with 5% CO₂and 85% humidity.

The HCV replicon assay was a multiplex assay which can assess bothcytotoxicity and anti-replicon activity from the same well. The CC₅₀assay was performed first. The media in the 384-well cell culture platewas aspirated and the wells were washed four times with 100 μL 1×PBSeach, using a Biotek ELX405 plate washer. A volume of 50 μL of asolution containing 400 nM calcein AM (Anaspec, Fremont, Calif.,Cat#25200-056) in 1×PBS was added to each well of the plate with aBiotek μFlow Workstation. The plate was incubated for 30 minutes at roomtemperature before the fluorescence signal (excitation 490 nm, emission520 nm) was measured with a Perkin Elmer Envision Plate Reader.

EC₅₀ assay was performed in the same wells as CC₅₀ assay. Thecalcein-PBS solution in the 384-well cell culture plate was aspiratedwith a Biotek ELX405 plate washer. A volume of 20 μL of Dual-Gloluciferase buffer (Promega, Madison, Wis., Cat#E298B) was added to eachwell of the plate with a Biotek μFlow Workstation. The plate wasincubated for 10 minutes at room temperature. A volume of 20 μL of asolution containing 1:100 mixture of Dual-Glo Stop & Glo substrate(Promega, Madison, Wis., Cat#E313B) and Dual-Glo Stop & Glo buffer(Promega, Madison, Wis., Cat#E314B) was then added to each well of theplate with a Biotek Workstation. The plate was then incubated at roomtemperature for 10 minutes before the luminescence signal was measuredwith a Perkin Elmer Envision Plate Reader.

Data Analysis

The cytotoxicity effect was determined by calcein AM conversion tofluorescent product. The percent cytotoxicity was calculated by equation1:

$\begin{matrix}{{\% \mspace{14mu} {cytotoxicity}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} {inhibition}} = {100 \times \left( {1 - \frac{X_{C} - M_{B}}{M_{D} - M_{B}}} \right)}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

where X_(C) is the fluorescence signal from the compound-treated well;M_(B) is the average fluorescence signal from puromycin-treated wells;M_(D) is the average fluorescence signal from DMSO-treated wells. Theanti-HCV replication activity was determined by the luminescence signalgenerated from the reporter renilla luciferase of the HCV replicon. Thepercent inhibition on HCV replicon was calculated using equation 1,where X_(C) is the luminescence signal from compound-treated well; M_(B)is average luminescence signal from the ITMN-191-treated wells; M_(D) isthe average luminescence signal from DMSO-treated wells.

The CC₅₀ values were determined as the testing compound concentrationthat caused a 50% decrease of cell viability. The EC₅₀ values weredetermined as the testing compound concentration that caused a 50%decrease in HCV replication. Both CC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values were obtainedusing Pipeline Pilot 5.0 software package (Accelrys, San Diego, Calif.)by nonlinear regression fitting of experimental data to equation 2:

$\begin{matrix}{y = {d + \frac{a - d}{\left\lbrack {1 + \left( \frac{x}{c} \right)^{b}} \right\rbrack}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where y is the observed % inhibition of HCV replicon at x concentrationof compound; d is estimated response at zero compound concentration; ais estimated response at infinite compound concentration; c is themid-range concentration (CC₅₀ or EC₅₀); b is the Hill slope factor.

The combination study experimental data were analyzed using theMacSynergy II program developed by Prichard and Shipman. The software(MacSynergy™ II, University of Michigan, MI) calculates theoreticalinhibition assuming an additive interaction between drugs (based on theBliss Independence model) and quantifies statistically significantdifferences between the theoretical and observed inhibition values.Plotting these differences in three dimensions results in a surfacewhere elevations in the Z-plane represent antiviral synergy anddepressions represent antiviral antagonism between compounds. Thecalculated volumes of surface deviations are expressed in nM²%. PerPrichard and Shipman, combination effects are defined as:

-   -   Strong synergy: >100 nM²%    -   Moderate synergy: >50 and ≦100 nM²%    -   Minor synergy: >25 and ≦50 nM²%    -   Additivity: ≦25 and >−25 nM²%    -   Minor antagonism: ≦−25 and >−50 nM²%    -   Moderate antagonism: ≦−50 and >−100 nM²%    -   Strong antagonism: ≦−100 nM²%

For each combination study, three independent experiments were performedwith four replicates in each experiment.

Results Antiviral Activity and Cytotoxicity of Individual Compounds inHCV Genotype 1a Replicon Assay.

The anti-HCV activity and cytotoxicity of Compound 4 and other compoundswere tested in Huh-7 cells carrying a HCV genotype 1a replicon. The EC₅₀and CC₅₀ values are listed in Table VI. There is no significantcytotoxicity observed for all compounds up to the highest concentrationstested.

TABLE VI EC₅₀ and CC₅₀ of Compounds used in this Study against HCVGenotype 1a Replicon Compounds EC₅₀ ^(a) (nM) CC₅₀ ^(a) (nM) Compound 119 ± 8  >44400 Compound 2 496 ± 135 >22200 Compound 3 49 ± 18 >22200Compound 4 201 ± 74  >44400 Compound 5  15 ± 2.4 >44400 Compound 6 0.033± 0.011 >44400 IFN-α  1.4 ± 0.3^(b)    >50^(b) Ribavirin 36482 ±17507 >88800 ^(a)Values are average ± standard deviation for three ormore independent experiments ^(b)IFN-α values are expressed in Units (U)per milliliter (mL) instead of a nanomolar concentrationAntiviral Activity and Cytotoxicity of Compound 4 in Combination withOther Classes of Anti-HCV Agents.

The antiviral effects of Compound 4 in combination with other anti-HCVcompounds were evaluated using the HCV genotype 1a replicon. The resultswere analyzed using MacSynergy II, which provides surface plotsdisplaying significant deviations from additivity. Synergy andantagonism volumes (nM²%) calculated from deviations from additivesurface are summarized in Table VII. At 95% confidence interval, themean synergy and antagonism volumes are between 25 and −25 nM²% whenCompound 4 was combined with IFN-α, Compound 2 and Compound 6,indicative of additive interaction with those compounds. Furthermore,Compound 4 shows synergy volumes in the range of 25 to 50 nM²% whencombined with Compound 1, Compound 5 or Compound 3, suggesting minorsynergistic interaction.

TABLE VII Quantification of Antiviral Synergy and Antagonism and DrugInteractions for Drug Combinations with Compound 4 Drug(s) Used inSynergy Antagonism Combination Volume Volume with Compound 4 (nM² %)^(a)(nM² %)^(a) Interaction Compound 1 34 ± 26 −1 ± 2 Minor synergy Compound2 22 ± 14 −2 ± 3 Additivity Compound 3 26 ± 6  −3 ± 2 Minor synergyCompound 5 26 ± 28 −1 ± 3 Minor synergy Compound 6 19 ± 17 −7 ± 7Additivity IFN-α 12 ± 6   0 ± 0 Additivity Ribavirin 1 ± 1 −43 ± 20Minor antagonism Values represent the mean ± standard deviation of threeindependent experiments performed in four replicates

In all combination studies, the cell viability is higher than 85% at allconcentration ratios and all drug combinations show additive effects onthe cytotoxicity as shown in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII Quantification of Cytotoxicity Synergy and Antagonism andDrug Interactions for Drug Combinations with Compound 4 Drug(s) Used inSynergy Antagonism Combination Volume Volume with Compound 4 (nM² %)^(a)(nM² %)^(a) Interaction Compound 1 13 ± 11 0 ± 1 Additivity Compound 217 ± 14 0 ± 0 Additivity Compound 3 3 ± 5 0 ± 0 Additivity Compound 5 15± 8  −10 ± 7  Additivity Compound 6 8 ± 4 0 ± 0 Additivity IFN-α  8 ± 12−7 ± 13 Additivity Ribavirin 4 ± 3 −1 ± 2  Additivity ^(a)Valuesrepresent the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experimentsperformed in four replicates

However, Compound 4 shows an antagonism volume of −43 nM²% when combinedwith Ribavirin, suggesting a minor antagonistic interaction.

TABLE IX Quantification of Cytotoxicity Synergy and Antagonism and DrugInteractions for Drug Combinations with Ribavirin Drug Used in SynergyAntagonism Combination Volume Volume with Ribavirin (μM² %)^(a) (μM²%)^(a) Interaction Compound 4 4 ± 3 −1 ± 2 Additivity ^(a)Valuesrepresent the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experimentsperformed in four replicates

The Ribavirin concentration that shows the highest antagonism withCompound 4 is around 0.5 to 1 μM, which is about 10-fold lower than thesteady-state plasma concentration of Ribavirin (6-11 μM) observed inhuman at a dose of 800 mg/day. At this physiological concentration ofRibavirin (6-11 μM), the antagonistic interaction between Ribavirin andCompound 4 is minimal across a wide range of Compound 4 concentrations(0-0.44 μM). Therefore, the observed minor antagonism between Ribavirinand Compound 4 in the in vitro replicon system is unlikely to haveclinical significance.

Conclusions

The antiviral activity of Compound 4 (in a diastereomeric mixture) wastested in combination with the current standard of care(IFN-α/Ribavirin), as well as Gilead Sciences' internal developmentalcandidates Compound 1 and Compound 5 (non-nucleoside NS5B inhibitors),Compound 2 and Compound 3 (NS3 protease inhibitors), and Compound 6(NS5A inhibitor). As summarized in Table VIII, Compound 4 showedadditive antiviral activity in combination with IFN-α, Compound 2 andCompound 6 and minor synergy with Compound 1, Compound 5 and Compound 3.

The combination of Compound 4 with Ribavirin resulted in a minorantagonism at Ribavirin concentrations between 0.5 to 1 μM, which isapproximately 10-fold lower than its steady-state physiologicalconcentration (6-11 μM) in human plasma. At the clinically relevantRibavirin concentration, the antagonistic interaction between the twocompounds became negligible.

Biological Example 4 Compound 5 Combinations

The antiviral activity of Compound 5 was tested in GT-1b Huh-lunet cells(using substantially the same methods as in the assays for Compound 4)in combination with the internal developmental compounds Compound 1,Compound 2 and Compound 3 (NS3 protease inhibitors), Compound 6 (NS5Ainhibitor), Compound 4 (C-nuc NS5B inhibitor) and also the approved HCVtherapeutics PEG-IFN-α and Ribavirin. Combination data were analyzedbased on the Bliss Independence model using MacSynergy II software.Results of the combination assays were expressed as mean synergy andantagonism volumes (nM²) calculated at 95% confidence from twoindependent experiments performed in triplicate. Combination effects aredefined as:

-   -   Strong synergy if volumes >100 nM²; this amount of synergy is        probably important in vivo    -   Moderate synergy if volumes are >50 and ≦100 nM²; this amount of        synergy may be important in vivo    -   Minor synergy if volumes are >25 and <50 nM²    -   Additivity if volumes are >−25 and ≦25 nM²    -   Minor antagonism if volumes are <−25 and >−50 nM²    -   Moderate antagonism if volumes are >−100 nM² and ≦−50 nM²; this        amount of antagonism may be important in vivo    -   Strong antagonism if volumes are ≦−100 nM²; this amount of        antagonism is probably important in vivo.

The combination of the allosteric NS5B inhibitors Compound 1 andCompound 5 resulted in moderate synergy in the replicon assay. Studieswith other HCV inhibitors, including PEG-IFN-α and Ribavirin, revealedadditive to minor synergistic interactions.

TABLE X Antiviral effects of Compound 5 in combination with otheranti-HCV drugs in 1b Huh-luc replicon cells Drug used in SynergyAntagonism combination Volume Volume with Compound 5 (nM²) ^(a) (nM²)^(a) Interaction Compound 1 70 ± 26  0 ± 0 Moderate synergy Compound 222 ± 12 −7 ± 7 Additive Compound 3 19 ± 13 −2 ± 2 Additive Compound 4 26± 28 −1 ± 3 Minor synergy Compound 6 34 ± 19  0 ± 0 Minor synergyPEG-IFN-α 31 ± 23 −2 ± 4 Minor synergy Ribavirin 12 ± 8  −12 ± 9 Additive ^(a) Values represent the mean ± standard deviation of twoindependent experiments performed in triplicate

Biological Example 5 Compound 6 Combinations Materials and MethodsCompounds

Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 6 and Compound 7 weresynthesized by Gilead Sciences (Foster City, Calif.). IFN-α andRibavirin were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.).

Cell Lines

HCV genotype 1b replicon cells (Huh-luc) were obtained from Reblikon(Mainz, Germany). The replicon in these cells is designatedI389luc-ubi-neo/NS3-3′/ET and encodes a selectable resistance marker(neomycin phosphotransferase) as well as the firefly luciferase reportergene. Huh-luc cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle'sMedium GlutaMax (DMEM; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Hyclone, Logan, Utah), 1×penicillin/streptomycin, 1× nonessential amino acids and 0.5 mg/mL ofG-418 (all from Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were passaged twicea week and maintained at subconfluent levels.

Assays Antiviral Activity Assay in HCV Huh-Luc Replicon Cells

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 7×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL of DMEM culture medium, excluding G-418. Compoundswere serially diluted 1:2 in 100% DMSO. Serial dilutions were added tothe cells at a 1:200 dilution to achieve a final concentration of 0.5%DMSO in a total volume of 200 μL. Plates were incubated at 37° C. for 3days, after which culture media were removed and cells were lysed andassayed for luciferase activity using a commercial luciferase assay(Promega, Madison, Wis.).

Antiviral Combination Studies

Replicon cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 7×10³ cellsper well in 100 μL culture medium, excluding G-418. Compound 6 and othercompounds were serially diluted 1:2 in 100% DMSO and added in a matrixformat to 96-well plates, achieving a defined set of different drugconcentrations and ratios in a final volume of 200 μL and a final DMSOconcentration of 0.5%. For each individual drug, the EC₅₀ value wasselected as the midpoint for the concentration range tested. Cells wereincubated for 3 days and analyzed for luciferase expression using acommercial luciferase assay (Promega). For each combination study, twoindependent experiments were performed in triplicate.

Cellular Cytotoxicity Determination

Replicon cells were seeded and treated with drugs as described for theantiviral combination studies above. After three day incubation at 37°C., the culture media was removed and cells were lysed and assayed forcytotoxicity using a CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay(Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Relative LightUnits were converted into percentages relative to the untreated controls(defined as 100%).

Data Analysis EC₅₀ Calculations

Following EC₅₀ assays, luciferase levels in drug-treated samples wereexpressed as a percentage of those in untreated controls (defined as100%). EC₅₀ values were calculated by nonlinear regression analysis ofreplicate data sets using XLfit 4 software (IDBS, Emeryville, Calif.).

Calculation of Antiviral Synergy and Antagonism

Following combination assays, luciferase levels in drug-treated sampleswere expressed as a percentage of those in untreated controls (definedas 100%). Replicate data sets were then analyzed using the MacSynergy IIprogram developed by Prichard and Shipman. The software (MacSynergy™ II,University of Michigan, MI) calculates theoretical inhibition assumingan additive interaction between drugs (based on the Bliss Independencemodel) and quantifies statistically significant differences between thetheoretical and observed inhibition values. Plotting these differencesin three dimensions results in a surface where elevations in the Z-planerepresent antiviral synergy and depressions represent antiviralantagonism between compounds. The calculated volumes of surfacedeviations are expressed in nM²%. Per Prichard and Shipman, combinationeffects are defined as:

-   -   Strong synergy if volumes >100 nM²; this amount of synergy is        probably important in vivo    -   Moderate synergy if volumes are >50 and ≦100 nM²; this amount of        synergy may be important in vivo    -   Minor synergy if volumes are >25 and <50 nM²    -   Additivity if volumes are >−25 nM2 and ≦25 nM²    -   Minor antagonism if volumes are <−25 and >−50 nM²    -   Moderate antagonism if volumes are >−100 nM² and ≦−50 nM²; this        amount of antagonism may be important in vivo    -   Strong antagonism if volumes are ≦−100 nM²; this amount of        antagonism is probably important in vivo.

Results Antiviral Activity of Individual Compounds in Huh-Luc RepliconCells.

Prior to initiating combination experiments, the antiviral activity ofindividual compounds was determined in Huh-luc replicon cells. EC₅₀values consistent with historical results were observed with all sevencompounds.

TABLE XI Individual EC₅₀ Values for Anti-HCV Compounds in Huh-lucReplicon Cells Compound EC₅₀ (nM)^(a) IFN-α^(b) 0.05 U/ml ± 0.04    Ribavirin >12 ± 2.4  Compound 1 0.96 ± 0.39 Compound 2 5.0 ± 0.0Compound 3 3.0 ± 1.2 Compound 6 0.0018 ± 0.0007 Compound 7 1245 ± 341 ^(a)EC₅₀ indicates arithmetic mean ± standard deviation for three ormore independent experiments. ^(b)IFN-α EC₅₀ is expressed in Units (U)per milliliter (mL) instead of a nanomolar concentration.

Combination Antiviral Effects and Drug Interactions

The antiviral effects of Compound 6 in combination with other HCVinhibitors were evaluated using the HCV 1b replicon system. Theresulting data were analyzed using MacSynergy II, which provides surfaceplots displaying significant deviations from additivity. Quantificationof statistically significant deviations from additivity from twoindependent experiments is summarized in Table XII. Combinations ofCompound 6 with IFN-α or Compound 1 resulted in synergy volumes of 32and 34 nM², respectively, indicating minor synergy. Ribavirin, Compound2 and Compound 7 yielded synergy volumes of 61, 52 and 51 when combinedwith Compound 6, respectively, indicating a moderate synergisticinteraction between Compound 6 and these three HCV inhibitors. Thecombination of Compound 6 with Compound 3 resulted in a synergy volumeof 132 nM²% signifying a strongly synergistic antiviral interaction.None of the compounds yielded antiviral antagonism volumes outside ofthe additive range (>−25 nM) when combined with Compound 6.

TABLE XII Quantification of Antiviral Synergy and Antagonism and DrugInteractions for Drug Combinations with Compound 6 Drug(s) Used inSynergy Antagonism Combination Volume Volume with Compound 6 (nM²)^(a)(nM²)^(a) Interaction IFN-α 32 ± 1.4  0.0 ± 0.0 Minor Synergy Ribavirin61 ± 0.5 −0.5 ± 0.1 Moderate Synergy Compound 1 34 ± 9.9  −17 ± 0.7Minor Synergy Compound 2 52 ± 5.1 −0.7 ± 0.7 Moderate Synergy Compound 3132 ± 44  −0.1 ± 0.2 Strong Synergy Compound 7 51 ± 7.8 −0.2 ± 0.1Moderate Synergy ^(a)Values represent the arithmetic mean ± standarddeviation of two independent experiments performed in triplicate.Cell Viability Percentages for Compound 6 in Combination with Other HCVInhibitors

To ensure that antiviral combination results were not confounded bycombination cytotoxicity, the cytotoxicity was investigated in parallelusing the same compound concentrations tested in the antiviral assays(Table XIII). For all compounds, cell viability was at least 98% ofuntreated controls for combinations at the highest concentrationstested. Therefore, no significant in vitro cytotoxicity was observedwhile testing Compound 6 alone, or in combination with these agents.

TABLE XIII Cell Viability Percentages for Compound 6 Combinations inHuh-luc Replicon Cells Compounds Concentration(s) (nM) Cell Viability%^(a) Compound 6 0.014  99 ± 1 Compound 6 + IFN-α^(b) 0.014 + 0.8  102 ±3 Compound 6 + Ribavirin  0.014 + 8000 105 ± 4 Compound 6 + Compound 10.014 + 4.0   99 ± 3 Compound 6 + Compound 2 0.014 + 24.0 103 ± 3Compound 6 + Compound 3 0.014 + 12.8 104 ± 4 Compound 6 + Compound 7 0.014 + 8800 103 ± 3 ^(a)Cell viability % indicates arithmetic mean ±standard deviation for at least two independent experiments performed intriplicate. ^(b)IFN-α is expressed in Units (U) per milliliter (mL)instead of a nanomolar concentration.

Conclusions

Results of these in vitro experiments indicate that Compound 6 has minorantiviral synergy when combined with IFN-α or the non-nucleoside NS5Bpolymerase inhibitor Compound 1. Combinations of Compound 6 withRibavirin, the NS3 protease inhibitor Compound 2 or the nucleoside NS5Bpolymerase inhibitor Compound 7 resulted in moderate antiviral synergy.Strong antiviral synergy was observed between Compound 6 and the NS3protease inhibitor Compound 3. No significant in vitro cytotoxicity wasidentified while testing these drug combinations. These results suggestthat Compound 6 could rationally be combined with the current standardof care.

Biological Example 6 Compounds

Compound 1, Compound 3, Compound 4, and Compound 6 were synthesized byGilead Sciences (Foster City, Calif.)

Cell Lines

HCV genotype 1b replicon cells (Huh-luc) were obtained from Reblikon(Mainz, Germany). The replicon in these cells is designatedI389luc-ubi-neo/NS3-3′/ET and encodes a selectable resistance marker(neomycin phosphotransferase) as well as the firefly luciferase reportergene. Huh-luc cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle'sMedium GlutaMax (DMEM; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Hyclone, Logan, Utah), 1×penicillin/streptomycin, 1× nonessential amino acids and 0.5 mg/mL ofG-418 (all from Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were passaged twicea week and maintained at subconfluent levels.

Assays

Determination of compound concentration required to suppress repliconRNA by 1-1.5 log over 6 days of treatment

Genotype 1b replicon cells were seeded in T-75 flasks at a cell densityof 2.5×10⁵ cells/flask, excluding G418. Compounds were individuallyadded to the cells at variable concentrations: Compound 6 was added atconcentrations of either 1 pM, 2 pM, 4 pM, 6 pM, 8 pM, or 12 pM,Compound 4 was added at 125 nM, 250 nM, 375 nM, 500 nM or 1000 nM,Compound 1 was added at 1.25 nM, 2.5 nM, 5 nM, 2.75 nM or 10 nM, andCompound 3 was added at concentrations of 3.75 nM, 7.5 nM, 11.25 nM, 15nM, 30 nM or 60 nM. Flasks were incubated at 37° C., media and compoundswere refreshed every two days. After 6 days of incubation the repliconcells were collected for RNA extraction and replicon RNA QRT-PCRanalysis.

Compound Combination Replicon Cure Assay

Genotype 1b replicon cells were seeded in T-75 flasks at a density of2.5×10⁵ cells/flask Compounds were added to the T-75 flasks at thefollowing concentrations: Compound 6 at 4 pM, Compound 4 at 1000 nM,Compound 1 at 10 nM, and Compound 3 at 26.25 nM. Flasks were incubatedat 37° C. and compounds and media were refreshed every two days. Allexperiments were performed in duplicate and will be noted in as flask 1and flask 2. On day 6 all cells were collected form flask 1 for RNAextraction followed by HCV replicon specific QRT-PCR analysis and thecells form flask 2 were replated on a 10 cm tissue culture dishes in thepresence of G418 for 14 days to record colony formation of uncuredreplicon cells.

QRT-PCR Assay

Total RNA was extracted with the RiboPure kit (AM1924 Life TechnologiesCorporation Carlsbad, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol.Extracted RNA samples were stored at −80° C. until use. For theQuantitative RT-PCR assay the Qiagen One-step QRT-PCR kit was usedaccording to manufacturer's protocol (Qiagen, Valencia Calif.). Thegenotype 1b HCV NS3 gene specific primers, forward primer NS3_180 FL5′-CGGCGGACTGTCTATCATGGTGC[FAM]G-′3 and reverse NS3_1805′-GGTCCTGGTCCACATTGGTGT-′3 and 18S rRNA LUX™ [FAM] endogenous controlprimer set (115HM-01) were produced by Invitrogen corporation (Carlsbad,Calif.). For the reverse transcriptase step, the reactions wereincubated at 44° C. for 30 min, the reverse transcriptase enzyme wasthen degraded by heating the sample to 94° C. for 10 min. The Q-PCR stepincluded 38 cycles at 94° C. for 15 s and 58° C. for 30 s.

Results

Prior to initiating combination replicon cure experiments the compoundconcentration required to suppress genotype 1b replicon RNA by 1-1.5 logwas determined for Compound 6, Compound 4, Compound 1, and Compound 3.The replicon RNA log drop is relative to the RNA levels in DMSO controltreated replicon cells maintained for 6 days.

TABLE XIV Individual compound dose able to induce replicon RNA 1-1.5 logdrop in a 6 day assay Compound concentration Compound Replicon RNA logdrop (nM) Compound 1 −1.0 10 Compound 3 −0.9 26.25 Compound 4 −1.2 1000Compound 6 −1.4 0.004

Combination Genotype 1b Replicon Cure Assay

The replicon RNA suppression by compounds Compound 6, Compound 4,Compound 1 and Compound 3 was determined in a 6 day assay as individualcompounds and in various double, triple, and quadruple combinations. Thereplicon RNA log drop is relative to the RNA levels in DMSO controltreated replicon cells maintained for 6 days alongside the treatmentflasks. The ability of the various compound combinations to cure thecells from the HCV replicon was determined by colony formation. Colonyformation occurred after compound treatment was removed and G418pressure was returned for 14 days. If a compound combination completelycures the cell population from the HCV replicon no colonies will developsince the cells lack resistance to G418.

TABLE XV Quantification of compound combination in the replicon cureassay Concen- Uncured tration Replicon RNA colony Compounds (nM) logdrop number Compound 6 −1.4 634 Compound 4 −1.2 1054 Compound 1 −1.0 657Compound 3 −0.9 989 Compound 4 + Compound 6 −2.67 15 Compound 1 +Compound 4 −2.022 14 Compound 3 + Compound 4 −2.26 23 Compound 1 +Compound 6 −2.3 148 Compound 3 + Compound 6 −2.62 13 Compound 1 +Compound 3 −1.8 113 Compound 1 + Compound −2.66 0 4 + Compound 6Compound 3 + Compound −2.71 0 4 + Compound 6 Compound 1 + Compound −2.690 3 + Compound 4 Compound 1 + Compound −2.69 0 3 + Compound 6 C ompound1 + Compound −2.71 0 3 + Compound 4 + Compound 6 DMSO (0.2% to match 06330 Quadruple combination)

Conclusions

Results of these in vitro experiments indicate that combination of twocompounds increases the viral RNA log drop over 6 day treatment andincreases the rate of cured replicon cells. The dual combinations ofCompound 6 with Compound 4 or Compound 3 results in larger replicon RNAlog suppression and lowest number of uncured colonies compared to allother dual compound combinations. The combination of three or fourcompounds cures all replicon cells and the combination treatmentssuppress the replicon RNA levels to the assay limit of detection.

Biological Example 7 HCV RNA Reduction Assay Cell Lines:

HCV genotype 1a replicon cells (Huh7-lunet) were obtained from ReBLIkonGmbH (Mainz, Germany). The replicon in these cells is designatedpCon1/SG-hRluc-Neo and encodes a selectable resistance marker (neomycinphosphotransferase) as well as the Renilla reniformis reporter gene.(Ref: Robinson M, et al. (2010) Novel Hepatitis C Virus ReporterReplicon Cell Lines Enable Efficient Antiviral Screening againstGenotype 1a. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54(8):3099-3106.). Cells weremaintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium GlutaMax (DMEM;Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS; Hyclone, Logan, Utah), 1× penicillin/streptomycin, and 1×nonessential amino acids (all from Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Oncecells reached 90-95% confluence, cells were passaged and maintained atsubconfluent levels.

Assays: Compound Combination HCV Viral Load Drop Assay

Genotype 1a replicon cells were seeded in T-75 flasks at a cell densityof 10⁶ cells/flask. Compounds were added to the cells at variableconcentrations, corresponding to 1×EC₅₀, 2×EC₅₀, 3×EC₅₀, 10×EC₅₀, or100×EC₅₀ Flasks were incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO₂; media and compoundswere refreshed every three-four days. Cells were split every time when90-95% confluence was reached. For each passage, 10⁶ cells weremaintained in a new flask with fresh media and compounds and at least1×10⁶ cells were collected and stored at −80° C. for RNA extraction andsubsequent HCV specific QRT-PCR analysis. Cells were plated on a 10-cmtissue culture dishes in the presence of G418 for at least 14 days torecord colony formation of uncured replicon cells.

QRT-PCR Assay:

RNA was extracted with the RNeasy Mini Kit (catalog number 74104,Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol.Extracted RNA samples were stored at −80° C. For the quantitative RT-PCRassay, MultiCode-RTx PCR technology primers targeting HCV 3′ UTR (EraGenBiosciences, Madison, Wis.) were obtained and used for HCV detection andquantification (Ref: Mulligan, E. K., et al (2009) Detection andQuantification of Hepatitis C Virus by MultiCode-RTx Real-Time PCRTargeting the HCV 3′ Untranslated Region. Journal of Clin Micro. 47 (8):2635). For each reaction, 5 μl of RNA was used along with SuperScriptIII RT (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), Titanium Taq DNA Polymerase(Clontech, Mountain View, Calif.), and 2×ISOlution (EraGen Biosciences,Madison, Wis.). The assay was performed using Roche LightCycler 480(Indianapolis, Ind.). For the reverse transcriptase step, the reactionswere incubated at 50° C. for 15 min. The DNA polymerase was activated byheating the sample to 95° C. for 2 min. Q-PCR consisted of 50 cycles at95° C. for 5 s, 58° C. for 10 s and 72° C. for 20 s.

Results

The replicon RNA suppression by compounds Compound 5, Compound 6,Compound 3 and Compound 1 was determined as individual compounds and invarious double, triple, and quadruple combinations. The replicon RNA logdrop is relative to the RNA levels in DMSO control treated repliconcells maintained alongside the treatment flasks. The ability of thevarious compound combinations to cure the cells from the HCV repliconwas determined by colony formation. Colony formation occurred aftercompound treatment was removed and G418 pressure was returned for 14days. If a compound combination completely cures the cell populationfrom the HCV replicon no colonies will develop since the cells lackresistance to G418.

The reduction of HCV RNA and resistant colony by HCV inhibitors alone orin combination is shown in Table XVI

TABLE XVI Quantification of compound combination in the replicon cureassay Concen- Maximum Uncured tration Replicon RNA Colony Compounds (nM)log₁₀ drop Number 10 EC₅₀ Compound 5 140 −2.80 1581  100 EC₅₀ Compound 51400  −4.08 534 3 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 3 EC₅₀  153 + 42 −4.13 curedCompound 5 3 EC₅₀ Compound 6 + 3 EC₅₀ 0.09 + 18 −3.07 619 Compound 1 3EC₅₀ Compound 6 + 3 EC₅₀ 0.09 + 42 −4.16  11 Compound 5 3 EC₅₀ Compound6 + 3  0.09 + 153 −4.33 cured EC₅₀ Compound 3 3 EC₅₀ Compound 5 + 3 EC₅₀  42 + 18 −2.44 941 Compound 1 1 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 1 EC₅₀ 51 + 0.03 +−2.33 574 Compound 6 + 1 EC₅₀ 14 Compound 5 1 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 1 EC₅₀51 + 0.03 + −2.66 713 Compound 6 + 1 EC₅₀ 6 Compound 1 1 EC₅₀ Compound3 + 1 EC₅₀ 51 + 0.03 + −1.36 too many Compound 6 + 1 EC₅₀ 16000 to countCompound RBV 3 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 3 EC₅₀ 153 + 0.09 + −5.29 curedCompound 6 + 3 EC₅₀ 42 Compound 5 3 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 3 EC₅₀ 153 +0.09 + −5.09 cured Compound 6 + 3 EC₅₀ 18 Compound 1 3 EC₅₀ Compound 3 +3 EC₅₀ 153 + 0.09 + * * Compound 6 + 3 EC₅₀ 48000 Compound RBV 2 EC₅₀Compound 3 + 2 EC₅₀ 102 + 0.06 + −4.42 cured Compound 6 + 2 EC₅₀ 28 + 12Compound 5 + 2 EC₅₀ Compound 1 * 2 EC₅₀ Compound 3 + 2 102 + 0.06 + EC₅₀Compound 6 + 28 + 32000 Compound 5 + 2 EC₅₀ Compound RBV 0.5% DMSO−0.05 * Treatment discontinued after 1.5 weeks due to great loss ofcells.

Results of these in vitro experiments indicate that combination of twocompounds increases the viral RNA log drop and increases the rate ofcured replicon cells. The combination of three or four compounds at2×EC50 or 3×EC50 cures all replicon cells and the combination treatmentssuppress the replicon RNA levels to the assay limit of detection.

Biological Example 8 Mutant Replicons

GT1b and GT1a replicons carrying Renilla Luciferase reporter were usedto generate the mutant replicons. The mutations were introduced into thereplicon construct by site-directed mutagenesis and confirmed bysequencing. Mutant replicon RNAs were generated from DNA by in vitrotranscription and transfected into Huh-7 Lunet or C1 cells

Drug Susceptibility Assay

Huh-7 Cells following transfection of replicon RNA were seeded in96-well plates at a density of 5×10³ cells per well in 100 μL of DMEMculture medium. Compounds were serially diluted 1:3 in 100% DMSO(Sigma). These serial dilutions were added to the cells at a 1:200dilution to achieve a final concentration of 0.5% DMSO in a total volumeof 200 μL. Plates were incubated at 37° C. for 3 days, after whichculture media were removed and cells were lysed and assayed forluciferase activity using a commercial luciferase assay (Promega,Madison, Wis.). EC₅₀ values were calculated using Prism.

Results

Table XVII and XVIII summarize the fold change in EC50 of the mutantscompared to the corresponding wild-type GT1b or GT1a. For comparison, afold change of 0-3 is considered “sensitive”, a fold change of 3-10 isconsidered “low”, a fold change of 10-50 is considered “medium” and afold change of greater than 5 is considered “high”.

TABLE XVII Cross Resistance of NS3 GT1a Mutants Compound CompoundCompound Compound Compound GT1a 3 6 4 1 5 IFN Ribavirin R155K >150 0.60.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 1.0 R155I 0.9 0.5 0.6 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.7 R155T 2.3 0.3 0.20.4 0.6 0.2 0.5 R155W 32.1 0.7 0.7 1.7 1.0 0.6 0.9 R155M 1.5 0.3 0.4 0.60.7 0.3 0.6 R155S 4.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.4 D168A >300 1.1 0.9 1.2 1.11.4 1.1 D168Y >175 0.8 1.0 1.8 0.7 1.2 1.1 D168G >138 0.8 0.8 2.1 1.00.8 1.4 D168V >156 1.2 1.4 1.9 1.1 1.0 1.4 D168N 20.5 1.2 1.0 1.9 1.31.1 1.3 D168E 25.1 1.3 1.5 0.4 0.7 2.1 0.5 D168H >250 1.1 1.0 0.7 1.10.9 1.3 A156T >141 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.8 R155K + Y488H >130 1.1 0.733.0 1.0 NA NA R155k + Q30H >100 49.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 1.4 0.7 R155K +L31M >100 96.9 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 R155K + M28T >100 12.3 0.2 0.4 0.81.1 0.4 R155K + Q30R >100 85.3 0.9 1.7 1.5 1.6 0.9 R155K +Y93H >100 >3000 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.5 R155K + Y488H >100 0.5 0.5 17.0 0.60.7 0.5 R155K + L31M + Y448H >145 >330 0.6 20.0 0.3 NA 0.8 R155K +Q30H + Y448H >130 55.0 0.9 9.5 0.5 1.9 0.9 R155K + M28T + Y448H 89.053.0 0.3 14.0 0.3 NA 0.7 R155K + Q30R + Y448H NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

TABLE XVIII Cross Resistance of NS3 GT1b Mutants Compound CompoundCompound Compound Compound Compound GT1b 3 6 4 1 5 IFN Ribavirin 3 R155C0.2 0.9 0.8 1.1 0.6 0.7 0.7 1.5 R155Q 17.1 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.5 1.0R155K >525 2.3 0.6 1.3 1.2 1.5 6.1 2.3 R155L 1.2 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.20.9 R155G 4.8 0.7 0.2 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.9 0.9 R155W >408 0.4 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.50.4 0.8 A156V >628 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.9 A156D >519 0.4 0.4 0.40.8 0.6 0.5 0.6 A156G 25.4 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.1 A156T >685 0.40.9 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.6 1.0 D168A >679 0.8 1.0 1.2 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.9 D168E >821.0 1.0 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.3 2.2 D168G >72 0.6 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.6 1.1D168H >916 1.2 1.7 1.6 1.0 0.8 1.3 1.5 D168N 28.4 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.00.7 1.1 D168V >866 0.9 0.9 2.1 1.3 1.5 1.6 2.1 D168Y >329 0.7 0.5 0.81.1 1.3 0.5 1.8 D168T >568 0.8 1.4 1.4 1.0 0.9 0.7 1.1 D168E +Y448H >105 0.7 0.7 29.0 0.4 NA 0.7 1.1 D168V + Y448H >650 0.5 0.9 41.00.5 NA 0.8 1.3 D168V + C445F >650 0.4 0.7 6.8 0.3 NA 1.4 0.6 D168L +C445F >650 0.4 0.3 2.2 0.2 NA 0.4 0.1 D168H + C445F >650 0.3 0.5 4.8 0.4NA 1.1 0.3 L31V + D168V >665 117.5 1.1 1.5 1.1 1.2 0.8 1.6 L31V +D168E >113 228.7 1.6 2.3 1.3 1.3 1.5 2.4 Y93H + D168V >520 >1140 1.0 0.80.5 0.7 1.1 2.0 Y93H + D168E 85.2 >570 1.3 1.7 1.0 1.1 1.0 2.0 D168E +Y93H + Y448H >25 >613 0.9 14.0 0.5 0.4 1.1 1.1 D168E + L31V + Y448H58.0 >210 1.1 22.0 0.8 0.7 1.5 1.2 D168V + Y93H + Y448H >510 >664 0.822.0 0.6 0.6 1.8 1.1 D168V + L31V + Y448H >325 >126 0.6 18.0 0.6 0.5 1.81.2

Conclusion

All single NS3 PI-resistant mutants retain full susceptibility toCompound 6, Compound 4, Compound 1, IFN and RBV. The dual class mutantsthat confer resistance to PI's and NS5A inhibitors were sensitive toCompound 1, Compound 4, Compound 5, IFN and RBV. Similarly, the dualclass mutants that confer resistance to PI's and Compound 1 weresensitive to Compound 6, Compound 4, Compound 5, IFN and RBV. Finally,the triple class mutants that confer resistance to PI, NS5A and Compound1 remained susceptible to Compound 4, Compound 5, IFN and RBV.

Clinical Example 1 Clinical Testing of Anti-HCV Activity of theCombination of Compound 1 and Compound 2

This Clinical Example shows that the combination of Compound 1 andCompound 2 plus ribavirin is more effective at reducing HCV viral load,and suppressing HCV viral rebound, than the combination of Compound 1plus Compound 2 without ribavirin.

Clinical Trial Design:

A Phase 2, randomized, open-label trial of Compound 2 plus Compound 1alone and in combination with ribavirin for 28 days in treatment-naivesubjects with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection. Subjects in Arm 1received Compound 2 at 75 mg+Compound 1 at 40 mg, both administeredtwice daily (BID) (double regimen) and subjects in Arm 2 receivedCompound 2 at 75 mg+Compound 1 at 40 mg, both administered BID, and plusribavirin, also administered BID (triple regimen) for 28 days.

On Day 28, all subjects were to initiate PEG/Ribavirin. Additionally,the protocol called for subjects with an insufficient virologic response(<2 log₁₀ IU/mL reduction from baseline HCV RNA by Day 5) or virologicrebound (HCV RNA increase of >0.5 log₁₀ IU/mL from nadir confirmed overtwo time points occurring after Day 5 with an absolute value >1000IU/mL) to initiate PEG/RIBA prior to Day 28.

For subjects with insufficient virologic response, the combination ofpegylated interferon (PEG) and ribavirin (RIBA) was initiated prior toDay 28 with or without continuation Compound 2+Compound 1. As a result,by Day 28 of the study, subjects were receiving one of four treatments:

-   -   (i) Compound 2+Compound 1,    -   (ii) Compound 2+Compound 1+RIBA,    -   (iii) Compound 2+Compound 1+PEG/RIBA, or    -   (iv) PEG/RIBA.

A total of 31 subjects were enrolled and started dosing (16 subjectsreceived the double regimen in Arm 1 and 15 subjects received the tripleregimen in Arm 2). Preliminary subject demographics and baselinecharacteristics (Table XIX) were generally comparable between Arms 1 and2, aside from a greater number of subjects with genotype 1b in Arm 2.Four subjects were identified as HCV genotype 1b at screening (onesubject on the dual regimen and three subjects on the triple regimen),but have not been confirmed as genotype 1a or 1b upon further analysis,with further assessment ongoing.

No subjects have experienced serious adverse events. Study medicationshave been generally well-tolerated, with all adverse events being Grade1-2 in severity, except for a single Grade 3 fatigue, which was the onlytreatment emergent adverse event leading to study drug discontinuation.Prior to the initiation of PEG/Ribavirin, the most commontreatment-emergent adverse events occurring in more than one subjectwere headache (n=5), and diarrhea or nausea (n=3 each) in Arm 1 andheadache (n=7), diarrhea or fatigue (n=3 each), nausea, asthenia,pruritis or insomnia (n=2 each) in Arm 2. When Compound 2+Compound 1were given in combination with PEG/RIBA, the only adverse eventsoccurring in more than one subject were influenza-like illness (n=5) andmyalgia (n=3), both common adverse events with PEG/RIBA therapy. Withregard to laboratory abnormalities, there were no Grade 4 events duringthe 28-day treatment period. Among subjects receiving the study drugs,there were two treatment-emergent Grade 3 elevations in total bilirubinin the ribavirin containing Arm 2 (occurring at Day 7, but resolvingwith continued dosing of study drug). There were also 2 Grade-1elevations and a single Grade-2 elevation in total bilirubin among othersubjects in this dosing Arm (with ribavirin). Among subjects in Arm-1(no ribavirin), there were four Grade-1 total bilirubin elevations. ALTvalues were reduced approximately 40 U/L from baseline in both arms byDay 14. Median QTcF was not significantly changed from baseline ineither study arm and no subjects discontinued study drugs due to QTcabnormalities. Preliminary safety data are summarized in Table XX.

Plasma HCV RNA was monitored approximately twice weekly to gaugevirologic response in relation to the protocol-specified criteria forearly initiation of PEG/RIBA. From preliminary analysis of the HCV RNAvalues, the median maximal decline in HCV RNA was 3.9 log₁₀ IU/mL forthe dual regimen and 5.0 log₁₀ IU/mL for the triple regimen. The mediantime to maximal decline in HCV RNA was 7 days for the dual regimen and14 days for the triple regimen, with the difference attributed todelayed incidence and onset of viral breakthrough in the ribavirincontaining arm. Three of 15 (20%) subjects receiving the dual regimenand 10 of 13 (77%) subjects receiving the triple regimen had nadir HCVRNA values ≦30 IU/mL (excluding non-GT1 subjects). 13/16 (81%) subjectsreceiving Compound 2/Compound 1 and 6/15 (40%) subjects receivingCompound 2/Compound1/Ribavirin initiated PEG or PEG/Ribavirin prior tothe scheduled start on Day 28 of the study. Additional details ofvirologic outcomes are provided in

Results.

Compound 2+Compound 1 alone and in combination with RIBA werewell-tolerated for up to 28 days by HCV subjects in this study, bothbefore and following the addition of PEG or PEG/Ribavirin. Both regimensyielded potent suppression of HCV RNA, with greater and more sustainedactivity in the three drug regimen.

TABLE XIX Preliminary Subject Demographics and Baseline CharacteristicsArm #2: Arm #1: Compound 2 at Compound 2 at 75 mg BID + 75 mg BID +Compound 1 Compound 1 at 40 mg BID + at 40 mg BID RIBA (n = 16) (n = 15)Age in years - Median (range) 47 55 (30, 66) (27, 63) Sex 14 male 11male 2 female 4 female Ethnicity 16 Non-Hispanic/ 15 Non-Hispanic/Latino Latino Race 13 White 13 White 2 Black 2 Black 1 Asian 0 AsianBaseline Weight in kg - Median 86.1 79.0 (range) (57.8, 110.5) (51,127.5) Baseline BMI in kg/M² - Median 27.1 24.7 (range) (21.5, 34.1)(19.9, 37.6) Baseline Log₁₀ HCV RNA 6.17 6.34 (IU/mL) from Central lab-Median (5.25, 7.26) (5.41, 7.19) (range) Central lab Baseline HCVGenotype 8 1a  3 1a 8 1b 12 1b

TABLE XX Preliminary Safety Results Arm 2: Arm 1: Compound 2 at Compound2 at 75 mg BID + 75 mg BID + Compound 1 Compound 1 at 40 mg BID + at 40mg BID RIBA (n = 16) (n = 15) Grade 3 Adverse Events (AEs): Fatigue 1 0Grade 1/Grade 2 (AEs): Headache 5 (31%) 7 (47%) Diarrhea 3 (19%) 3 (20%)Nausea 3 (19%) 2 (13%) Fatigue 0 3 (20%) Asthenia 0 2 (13%) Pruritis 1(6%)  2 (13%) Insomnia 0 2 (13%) Grade 3 Laboratory Abnormalities:Bilirubin 0 2 Grade 1/Grade 2 Laboratory Abnormalities: Bilirubin 4 3Hemoglobin 0 2 Glucose (nonfasting) 8 5

TABLE XXI Preliminary Virologic Outcomes Arm 2: Arm 1: Compound 2 atCompound 2 at 75 mg BID + 75 mg BID + Arm 2: Compound 1 at Arm 1:Compound 1 at Compound 2 at 40 mg BID + Compound 2 at 40 mg BID 75 mgBID + Ribavirin 75 mg BID + Unconfirmed Compound 1 at UnconfirmedCompound 1 at GT1 Subjects 40 mg BID + GT1 Subjects 40 mg BID ExcludedRibavirin Excluded (n = 16) (n = 15)* (n = 15) (n = 13) Median maximal−3.9 log₁₀ IU/mL −4.0 log₁₀ IU/mL −5.0 log₁₀ IU/mL −5.0 log₁₀ IU/mL HCVRNA decline Mean maximal −3.4 log₁₀ IU/mL −3.6 log₁₀ IU/mL −4.5 log₁₀IU/mL −4.9 log₁₀ IU/mL HCV RNA decline Mean time to 16 days 16 days 23days 23 days Breakthrough Subjects with  3/16 (19%)  3/15 (20%) 10/15(63%)  10/13 (77%)  HCV RNA nadir <50 IU/mL Subjects with   12 (75%)12/15 (80%) 6/15 (40%) 6/13 (46%) Breakthrough** Day 28 Response: RVR at<25 1/16 (6%) 1/15 (7%) 5/15 (33%) 5/13 (38%) IU/mL RVR at <50 1/16 (6%)1/15 (7%) 6/15 (40%) 6/13 (46%) IU/mL *GT1 is an abbreviation for HCVGenotype 1. Subjects 1011, 1012, and 1043 at one French study centerwere excluded; Subject 1004 was not excluded **Breakthrough definedas >1 log increase in HCV RNA above nadir value or HCV RNA >25 IU/mLfollowing a nadir of <25 IU/mL

The data presented in Table XXI show that there was an approximately 10fold greater decline in both the median maximal HCV RNA level and themean maximal HCV RNA level in response to the combination of Compound2+Compound 1 in the presence of ribavirin compared to the absence ofribavirin. Also, the number of study subjects having an HCV RNA nadirbelow 50 IU/mL is greater in the presence of ribavirin than in theabsence of ribavirin. These results show that ribavirin, in the absenceof interferon, significantly potentiates the antiviral activity of thecombination of Compound 1 and Compound 2.

Additionally, the mean time to HCV breakthrough, which is a measure ofthe eventual increase in HCV viral load as the virus mutates and becomesless susceptible to the antiviral drugs, is greater in the presence ofribavirin than in the absence of ribavirin. Further, the number ofsubjects showing viral breakthrough is substantially less in thepresence of ribavirin than in the absence of ribavirin. These resultsshow that the HCV virus is less able to develop resistance to thecombination of Compound 1 and Compound 2 in the presence of ribavirin.

Further, the data presented in Table XXI shows that the number ofpatients achieving a Rapid Virologic Response (RVR) in the presence ofribavirin is significantly greater than in the absence of ribavirin.Achievement of RVR positively correlates with cure of HCV infection.

Taken together the data presented in Table XXI show that the combinationof Compound 1, Compound 2, and ribavirin causes a rapid and clinicallysignificant reduction in HCV viral load, with a reduced viral rebound,even in the absence of administration of interferon.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention are hereinillustrated and described in detail, the invention is not limitedthereto. The above detailed descriptions are provided as exemplary ofthe present invention and should not be construed as constituting anylimitation of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from thespirit of the invention are intended to be included with the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A composition comprising two or more compounds selected from Compound1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 andCompound 7:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 3, Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound 7, providedthat Compound 1 and Compound 2 are not the only compounds in thecomposition and further provided that Compound 1 and Compound 3 are notthe only compounds in the composition.
 2. The composition of claim 1which comprises Compound 1 and further comprises a second compoundselected from the group consisting of Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound
 7. 3. The composition of claim 2,wherein the second compound is Compound
 4. 4. The composition of claim2, wherein the second compound is Compound
 5. 5. The composition ofclaim 2, wherein the second compound is Compound
 6. 6. The compositionof claim 1 which comprises Compound 2 and further comprises a secondcompound selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound
 7. 7. The composition ofclaim 6, wherein the second compound is Compound
 4. 8. The compositionof claim 1 which comprises Compound 3 and further comprises a secondcompound selected from the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2,Compound 4, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound
 7. 9. The composition ofclaim 8, wherein the second compound is Compound
 1. 10. The compositionof claim 8, wherein the second compound is Compound
 5. 11. Thecomposition of claim 8, wherein the second compound is Compound
 6. 12.The composition of claim 1 which comprises Compound 4 and furthercomprises a second compound selected from the group consisting ofCompound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3, Compound 5, Compound 6 and Compound7.
 13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the second compound isCompound
 1. 14. The composition of claim 12, wherein the second compoundis Compound
 2. 15. The composition of claim 12, wherein the secondcompound is Compound
 3. 16. The composition of claim 12, wherein thesecond compound is Compound
 6. 17. The composition of claim 1 whichcomprises Compound 5 and further comprises a second compound selectedfrom the group consisting of Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound 3,Compound 4, Compound 6 and Compound
 7. 18. The composition of claim 17,wherein the second compound is Compound
 1. 19. The composition of claim17, wherein the second compound is Compound
 3. 20. The composition ofclaim 17, wherein the second compound is Compound
 6. 21-211. (canceled)